The province has announced that Clarke Avenue in Thornhill will house a stop on the new $5.6-billion Yonge North Subway extension.
The station is part of the massive eight-kilometre project extending the subway into York Region. Officials from all three levels of government met in Newmarket for the announcement today, July 16.
Newmarket-Aurora MPP Christine Elliott said the project will make it easier for people to choose transit to get where they need to be.
“Projects like these are the economic drivers for many of our local communities, including Newmarket and Aurora,” Elliott said.
York Region backed the extension in 2020. Construction could begin in 2023 or 2024, with the federal government confirming May 11 it would provide up to 40 per cent of the project’s funding.
The other stops proposed include Steeles, Bridge, and High Tech in Richmond Hill, where the extension would end. But the province said it is working collaboratively with York Region and the City of Toronto to explore the possibility of funding additional stations at Royal Orchard Boulevard and Cummer Avenue.
York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson said transportation is the dominant issue for the region.
“We can provide communities across the GTHA with a greater variety of transportation options and alleviate the congestion in this high-volume corridor,” Emmerson said. “This strengthens our economic future. Adding a fourth station to York Region is necessary to maximize growth.”
The alignment of the subway has created some controversy. Metrolinx has proposed shifting away from Yonge Street for the end of the subway, recognizing sensitivities with construction under the Holy Cross Cemetery. The updated proposal crosses under the Royal Orchard community under several homes and community spaces, which has generated some concerns about noise and vibrations.
Metrolinx president and chief executive officer Phil Verster said they are refining the alignment and may make the tunnel deeper to address the issue.
“We are sensitive to residents’ concerns,” Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney said.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said the Clarke Station is critical and will build on a growing transit network.
“A subway without stations is kind of like having a gold mine without being able to get to the gold,” Scarpitti said. “You are creating a golden opportunity for York Region.”
Even though the extension will not be reaching as far as Newmarket, Mayor John Taylor has said the project is an important one for all of York Region.
"This subway will be an economic driver for the entire region, certainly the southern region more, but for the entire region as well. The whole region's population will be largely paying for this subway, and we need to make sure the entire region is included in the conversations and enthusiastic about this opportunity," said Taylor.
York Region will be expected to pay $1.5 billion over an unspecified number of years as its contribution toward the project.
— With files from Alan Hale
