BRT extensions struggle to keep up with residential growth

On February 7, Ward 5 Councillor Andrew Keyes and city staff held a Community Information Meeting at Cornell Community Centre.

Keyes and Peter Miasek, Chair of the Markham Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, share their thoughts and experiences about population density, public transportation, and the Markham Transportation Master Plan.

Keyes explained that the density of residential units will continue to increase in Markham. He highlighted that approximately 20,000 units will be built in the Cornell-Highway 7 corridor and that coordinating their construction with the provision of bus services is challenging. He pointed to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) currently on Highway 7 further west which is planned for extension to the Cornell bus terminal. At the same time, municipalities do not have the revenue to finance major transportation projects, so they rely on federal and provincial support. Keyes related, “It can take a long time for funding of a project to be earmarked and then years to implement it.” He said he tries to accelerate the process and keep transportation on the radar by making it a high priority for Markham.

Miasek has served on the Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CPAC) for ten years and has been Chair for three years. Representatives from the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Environmental Advisory Committee have important roles on CPAC.

Miasek said he was at the Community Information Meeting to learn about how the city is progressing on the Active Transportation Plan. The Plan concerns planning provisions for cycling, walking and e-scooters. He said that it was passed in 2022 but that the city is falling behind in implementing it. Miasek added that fifty per cent of all trips in the city are under five kilometres and that this is a huge opportunity to increase intra-city transportation alternatives such as transit and cycling.

Keyes acknowledged a battle between road expansion and an active transportation plan. He explained that the widening of Highway 7 is extremely expensive and that there are challenges, such as cemeteries.

The Community Information Meetings are being held at three additional locations: Markville Mall (Feb. 8), Angus Glen Community Centre (Feb. 9) and Thornhill Community Centre (Feb. 10).

Photo: Councillor Andrew Keyes and city staff held a Community Information Meeting at Cornell Community Centre.

*Story and photo submitted by Andrew Fuyarchuk.