Ontario Construction News staff writer
Atkins Réalis has been chosen by the Regional Municipality of York to provide design and engineering services for a significant widening project on Highway 27 in Vaughan.
This project will expand the north-south road from two lanes to four between Major Mackenzie Drive and just north of Nashville Road. There are also plans for pedestrian and cycling pathways, along with enhancements to bridges, retaining walls, and noise barriers.
Officials state that the aim is to ease traffic congestion and improve travel efficiency in one of the busiest areas of the Greater Toronto Area. Highway 27 connects Barrie and nearby communities northwest of Toronto with the GTA and downtown via Highways 401, 407, and 427.
“Connecting communities is at the heart of what we do,” said Stéphanie Vaillancourt, president of Atkins Réalis Canada, in a statement. “We’re bringing our world-class expertise and local insights to York Region.”
Atkins Réalis will take care of detailed design work, contract administration, and inspection services. The tasks include designing active transportation features like sidewalks, cycle tracks, and multi-use paths; assessing and rehabilitating or replacing the Humber River bridge north of Major Mackenzie Drive while considering its potential heritage status; widening the Humber River bridge south of Nashville Road; as well as designing retaining walls and noise barriers.
The Toronto Board of Trade reports that commuters in this area spend an average of 98 hours each year stuck in rush-hour traffic, costing nearly $45 billion annually to the economy. Officials believe that expanding Highway 27 could also facilitate housing development.
Atkins Réalis has previously completed similar projects aimed at reducing congestion in Peel and York regions and operates a materials testing lab in Vaughan. The company is currently hiring for municipal and highway engineering positions within the GTA.
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