History
The history of Donald Cousens Parkway dates back to the 1970s, when Metropolitan Toronto and the Department of Highways (now the MTO) planned out the East Metro Transportation Corridor. This corridor was originally envisioned as a six lane expressway connecting Highway 401 with the planned but unbuilt Highway 407. However, the drive for expressway construction faded through the 1970s and 1980s as a result of opposition and the resulting cancellation of the Toronto expressway network. Studies nonetheless continued to be performed confirming the need for the route.
During 1994 and 1995, the MTO conducted two studies termed the Morningside Transportation Corridor Review. While the study once again confirmed the need for the route, it also suggested that while an expressway was the ideal solution, an arterial road would be the practical solution. It also suggested that the road be a municipal road, rather than a provincial one. In 1997, the Environmental Assessment for the Markham By-pass extension was completed, approving construction of an interchange at the future Highway 407 (then open only as far as Highway 404) and a divided roadway north from there to Major Mackenzie Drive.
Construction on the two lane section between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive, connecting with the north end of the Old Markham By-pass, began in 2002, and was completed by the end of 2004. Construction of the interchange at Highway 407 began in 2004 and completed by the end of the year; the four lane section from that interchange north to Highway 7 opened on December 17, 2004. In 2005, construction began on the third phase of the bypass, connecting the southern segment at Highway 7 with the northern segment north of 16th Avenue. This four lane section opened on October 24, 2006. The two lane road between this new section and 16th Avenue was subsequently closed and removed.
On October 19, 2006, York Regional Council decided to rename the new Markham By-pass to honour the work of mayor Don Cousens. Following this decision, a report was prepared outlining the costs; it was presented to council on February 22, 2007, and a bylaw enacted. The name change became effective on April 1, 2007.
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