York Region has initiated studies and environmental assessments to lay the groundwork for future widening or expansions, including a stretch of Langstaff Road from Weston Road to Highway 7.
Included in the class environmental assessment is the possibility for a connection across the CN MacMillian Rail Yard and interchange improvements at Highway 400, in the City of Vaughn.
Langstaff, which runs parallel to Hwy 7, currently disconnects just east of Jane St. because of the CN Rail terminal and resumes at Keele Street. Traffic, therefore, must loop around the rail facility for several kilometers north via Rutherford or south via congested Hwy 7.
While this project is still in the planning phase, OTA has already written the project team signaling OTA’s interest in being kept in the loop.
“We all know there is significant commercial vehicle activity in the area and there’s no doubt that this could be a significant project to support OTA members’ activities in this area, especially if they move ahead with a connection across the CN rail yard,” said OTA’s Jonathan Blackham.
This project was identified in the York Region Transportation Master Plan (2016) as essential for maximizing the potential of employment and supporting the supply chain in the area. OTA will be working with its members to provide input into the process, added Blackham.
As indicated in York’s Transportation Master Plan, the Region will be requesting participation from the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada in funding the construction of the Langstaff Road missing link. As this project moves forward, the OTA will be involved to help the plan gain traction and to ensure the design details meet the needs of the industry.
OTA members interested in more information on this initiative can contact operations&safety@184.107.41.74