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Spanning the 407 Highway as a Hub Integrator
Image joining Richmond Hill/Langstaff Gateway or the divided Markham Centre (Provincial
Growth Centres) by innovations, such as creating useable urban space over the 407 Highway
which is an urban separator today.
Access and mobility are essential elements of good mega-region building. The interconnection
and balance of multiple modes of transportation must be achieved in order to provide access
to global and regional economies, reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and enable healthy
lifestyles that encourage walking and cycling. Strong transportation links to regional employment
centers and other popular destinations reduce a community’s reliance on cars, which, in turn,
reduces impacts on the environment.
Great cities have vibrant urban districts. These exist at a variety of scales that range from very
dense downtown core areas, to medium density mixed-use districts focused around commuter
transit facilities, to more traditionally-scaled urban neighborhoods distinguished by corner stores,
beautiful residential blocks and pocket parks.
The design of urban districts is an art form. It involves the skillful blending of streets, transit,
parking, retail, entertainment and access with a rich variety of building typologies to provide
choices in housing, commerce together with parks schools and other public facilities.
Vibrant urban districts are memorable and provide a rich mix of opportunities for diverse groups
of people. In this regionally significant transit node connecting both sides of the freeway is
critical. Access to the multi modal centre and the destinations at Markham Live can be improved
by developing a seamless connection to lands south of the 407 in Markham Live’s case.
This may be accomplished by developing the ‘air rights’ over the freeway with buildings, transit
hub, parking facilities or parks. A notable example of this approach is in downtown Seattle where
its convention center and parks spans Interstate 5. This provides a key connection across the
freeway and allows for additional development.
Given the significant investment that is going to be made in the 407 Transitway, it makes sense
to spend the money in a way that will maximize benefits to the surrounding community. The
most significant such benefit for communities along the 407, such as Langstaff/Richmond Hill
Gateway and Markham Centre, would be to remedy the divide created by the 407 Highway itself
by spanning the highway with high quality public space and transit station infrastructure. This
approach will not only allow the 407 Transitway to stay in its linear highway alignment but will
literally stitch divided communities back together. Transit infrastructure will be a bridge between
the areas to the north and the south of the 407 highway.
Components - Markham Centre Estimated Costs Savings
Eliminate MTO Crossing 407 and back and forth $150,000,000
Eliminate dedicated Simcoe Promenade for Viva $ 80,000,000
Parking on South Side of 407 - Cheaper/Easier to construct
407 Rail Transitway - Straighter alignment
Hub Station - Most efficient design
MTO - Free up 12 acres $ 24,000,000
Markham Centre Hub - Easier transition to integrate Markham Live
Need to design the 407 Transitway and hubs efficiently from both an operations and ridership
interface standpoint. Need the transit carriers like VIVA and MTO Transitway Projects to think
of the big picture. The 407 corridor is the highest transit priority and has the greatest impact on
the GTA economy. Need to use where possible the 407 real estate for transit hubs, etc. Need
the 407ETR and MTO to work cooperatively and seamlessly to ensure the best 407 Transitway
interfaces possible. A competitive economy is the key fundamental driver.