New milestone for Highway 7 East BRT
York Region is advancing plans for the Highway 7 East Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, a key rapid transit project designed to support future growth, improve mobility and strengthen connections across Markham and the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH).
The Highway 7 East BRT corridor currently serves approximately 6,700 passenger trips each day and is projected to accommodate more than 10,100 daily trips by 2035. To move the project forward, York Region’s 10-year Capital Plan includes funding for an analysis of the 2005 Environmental Assessment (EA) as well as preliminary engineering, bringing the design to 30 per cent completion, and positioning the corridor for future construction funding from senior levels of government.
York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who also serves as Chair of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Board, announced the latest planning milestone on June 15 at Markville Mall.
The existing Highway 7 East Environmental Assessment underwent a full review in 2025 and remains relevant. This next phase will focus on completing preliminary engineering work. As planning and design progress, York Region will continue to provide updates on project developments.
The corridor is expected to play a significant role in supporting growth across the region, accommodating more than 45,000 new residential units (based on development applications submitted in 2025), and supporting an estimated 122,000 new residents and more than 30,000 jobs projected by 2051.
The Highway 7 East BRT will build on previous transit investments while connecting residents and commuters to major transportation hubs, including the existing BRT along Highway 7, GO Transit and the Cornell Bus Terminal. The corridor will also improve access to key destinations such as Markham Stouffville Hospital, York University’s Markham Campus, the Pan Am Centre, Markham YMCA, Markville Mall and local cycling networks.
Photo: York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who also serves as Chair of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation Board, announced the latest BRT planning milestone on June 15.