York Regional Road 68

York Regional Road 68 is a north-south route in Markham, Ontario. The section from York Regional Road 73 to Lake Ontario shorelines was downloaded from the province of Ontario and renamed from Highway 48 to the old name of Markham Road. The current York Regional Road stretches from Steeles Avenue to York Regional Road 73.

Road description

The southern portion of the road from Steeles Avenue East to Highway 407 has 3 lanes in each direction. This widening of the road was completed in the late 1990s, for the development described below.

From the 407 to Highway 7 the road narrows to a single lane in either direction. Along the road are older homes from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The road crosses the Rouge River via a stone bridge.

From Highway 7 to 16th Avenue there are 2 lanes in either direction along the historic Markham Main Street. This area is a mix of residential and commercial properties. Markham's old Town Hall is located here.

York Regional Road 68 reappears as King's Highway 48 north of 16th Avenue. In the old village of Markham, it is known as Main Street, divided into Main Street N and Main Street S by Highway 7. Some of the provincial highway designation signs continue to exist along the York Regional Road 68 (one located just south of Highway 7).

Public transit

*York Regional Road 68 is served by the TTC Markham Road Route 102 bus running between Major Mackenzie Drive (York Regional Road 17) north of 16th Avenue, to the Warden TTC Subway Station. Passengers pay York Region Transit fare on this section of the route; TTC fares apply in Toronto. Steeles East 53 Buses use Markham Road as part of its loop, running south between Elson and Steeles, using TTC fares.
* YRT Route 1 uses Main Street North in off-peak hours as part of its eastern leg, running from Highway 7 (Eastbound, north on Main Street, and east on Joseph Street to Markham Stouffville Hospital. YRT Route 2 also uses Markham Road, near Dennison.
* GO Transit Buses serve this road on the York University Route, and the Stouffville-Uxbridge Route.

Development along YRR 68

Since the 1990s and more so after 2000, there has been increasing development along York Regional Road 68. Farmland has given way to new residential developments and pockets of commercial development. The latest growth is in the intersection of 14th Avenue and Regional Road 68. The road has also been widened to allow for this growth in the area.

This portion of the road serves a mainly residential area with a series of strip malls. The homes were built in two phases: the late 1990s and from the 2000 onwards. Newton Centre is a new mall being developed in the area.

Attractions along York Regional Road 68

* Main Street Markham
* Markham Main Street
* Markham Museum and Historic Village
* Markham GO Station - historic station was opened in 1871 and restored for active use
* old Markham Town Hall
* Markham Library and Community Centre; southeast corner of former highway junction, and site of original Markham Fairgrounds.

ee also

* Highway 48
* Markham Road