Major Mackenzie Drive
Major Mackenzie Drive, often shortened to Major Mac,[2][3] is a major east-west arterial road in southern York Region, Ontario, Canada, just north of Toronto. It is a York regional road, numbered as York Regional Road 25, and passes through the three cities of southern York Region: Vaughan, Ontario, Richmond Hill, and Markham. It does not continue outside of York Region as an east-west road, but does cross into Brampton (in Peel Region) as Coleraine Drive which immediately curves sharply at the boundary to head north towards Bolton.
Name
The road was named after Major Addison Alexander MacKenzie, a former local politician and World War I veteran.[4][5][6]
History
The road was laid out during the planning by early settlers in the region to divide the land into farms. Much of the farmland is now gone, as residential development expands in York Region towards the north.
Communities
Major MacKenzie Drive stretches across Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham. Here are some nearby communities it runs through:
Vaughan
- Maple
- Kleinburg
- Woodbridge
- Patterson
- Thornhill Woods
Richmond Hill
- Richmond Hills proper
- Oak Ridges
- Yongehurst
- Beverley Acres
- Headford
Markham
- Victoria Square
- Cathedraltown
- Cachet
- Berczy Village
- Wismer Commons
- Mount Joy
- Greensborough
Road information
- Transportation: Mainly YRT Routes 4 and 25, Major Mackenzie Viva Terminal on the Viva Blue line
- Attractions: Kortright Conservation Area, Canada's Wonderland, Eagle's Nest golf course, Angus Glen golf course, Rouge Park
Road status
- Zoning: Mainly low density residential in Vaughan and Markham, some developing, medium density in Richmond Hill,
- Speed: Anywhere from 50–80 km/h with 60 km/h being the most common,
Future
There are plans for a future connection between Major Mackenzie Drive and Mayfield Road in Brampton.[7] The project is part of the Highway 427 Extension Area Transportation Master Plan, which aims to improve traffic flow and connectivity in the area.[8][9] The new roadway is designated as Arterial A2 in the plan and will be a six-lane north-south connection.[10] However, a specific construction timeline has not been announced yet.[11]
Streets to the north and south
References
- ^ "Major MacKenzie Drive. route". Google Maps. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Tex-Mex Food in Major Mac & Vellore Park, Vaughan". BarBurrito. Retrieved 2024-07-26.
- ^ "RECOMMENDATION REPORT 404 Major Mac West Developments Limited". pub-markham.escribemeetings.com. March 26, 2024.
- ^ Filey, Mike (September 13, 1998). "Major MacKenzie's Home Now Part of Pioneer Past". Toronto Sketches 6: The Way We Were. Dundurn. p. 259. ISBN 978-1-4597-1303-1.
- ^ "F0347 - Major Addison Alexander Mackenzie fonds". Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections, York University.
- ^ Yeung, Tony Yeung (2013-02-21). "Major Mackenzie Dr. honours famous soldier: Street names". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ^ "HIGHWAY 427 INDUSTRIAL SECONDARY PLAN (AREA 47) TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN STUDY" (PDF). City of Brampton. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ "Arterial Roads within Highway 427 Industrial Secondary Plan Area (Area 47) Part A - Region of Peel". Region of Peel. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ "SP47 PIC Boards June 27 2012 FINAL (2) Public Information Centre Highway 427 Industrial Secondary Plan (Area 47) Transportation Master Plan Study" (PDF). City of Brampton. June 27, 2012.
- ^ "map of northeast corner of Brampton showing proposed A2 arterial road".
- ^ "Highway 50 widening and roadways in the Highway 427 extension area - Regional Government - Region of Peel".