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 of 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. Plans also include adding pedestrian and cycling paths, along with upgrades to bridges, retaining walls, and noise barriers.
Officials say this initiative aims to ease congestion and enhance travel along one of the busiest routes in the Greater Toronto Area. Highway 27 links Barrie and communities northwest of Toronto to the GTA and downtown through 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 manage detailed design work, contract administration, and inspection services. This includes 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 potential heritage status; widening the Humber River bridge south of Nashville Road; as well as planning retaining walls and noise barriers.
The Toronto Board of Trade reports that commuters in this area spend about 98 hours each year stuck in rush-hour traffic, which costs nearly $45 billion annually for the economy. Officials believe that expanding Highway 27 could also aid housing development.
Atkins Réalis has successfully completed similar projects aimed at reducing congestion in Peel and York regions, plus they operate a materials testing lab in Vaughan. The company is currently looking to hire for municipal and highway engineering positions throughout the GTA.
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