Walk, ride, rock out: Event marks impending completion of Hwy. 404 extension

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 12, 2014
By Laura Finney

It’s been a long time, but the new Hwy. 404 extension is almost ready for traffic and the Town of East Gwillimbury wants to celebrate.

On Sunday, the town and the Miller Group will host a walk/cycle event and concert on the highway.

“Walkers and cyclists will be treated to a free concert by Glass Tiger at the end of their journey, right on the 404,” said Mayor Virginia Hackson.

The mayor first announced her idea of organizing an event at the July 7 council meeting but had to wait for the details to become final.

This event will give residents a chance to see the new highway before the official opening by the Ministry of Transportation.

“The community has been waiting so long and were skeptical as to whether this highway would ever open,” said Hackson, who added that money raised will be going to the Southlake Regional Health Centre.

“The upcoming opening of the highway extension is a great opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate this good news story and, of course, to benefit Southlake Foundation.”

The highway is scheduled to open next month and Hackson said it is an important piece of infrastructure for the town.

She said about 50,000 commuters from East Gwillimbury and Georgina travel south each day to work.

“This new highway extension will shorten commute time,” she said, adding it will also help alleviate local traffic, especially along Leslie Street and the 2nd Concession.

The ride/walk will start at 9:30 a.m. and Glass Tiger will perform at about 11 a.m.

The first 1,000 participants will receive a complimentary water bottle and the region’s Tap’d in Mobile water trailer will be on hand to provide participants with water refills.

Registration is not required but donations to the Southlake Foundation are encouraged.

The start location has not been finalized.

For more information, visit the town website and to register or donate, visit southlakefoundation.ca/walkorcyclethe404.