Which Markham commutes will the new Highway 404 crossing improve?On September 4, 2026, York Region opened a new four-lane road over Highway 404 and the Rouge River, linking Markland Street in Markham with Orlando Avenue in Richmond Hill, between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive. It cost $110 million and adds sidewalks and multi-use paths. No official travel-time data has been published yet, so it is too early to measure savings. The residents most likely to benefit are those in Cachet and nearby north-west Markham pockets who cross Highway 404 to reach Richmond Hill, since the new link gives them an alternative to 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive.
For years, drivers in north-west Markham had only a few ways across Highway 404: 16th Avenue, Major Mackenzie Drive and Highway 7 to the south. At rush hour, those crossings fill quickly. The new Markland Street link adds another option between them.
Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, helps buyers test real commutes from the homes they are considering, because a new road can change the daily routine of a neighbourhood.
What was built
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Opened to traffic | Friday, September 4, 2026 |
| Location | Between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive |
| Connection | Markland Street (Markham) to Orlando Avenue (Richmond Hill) |
| Road | Four lanes, with bridges over Highway 404 and the Rouge River |
| Active transportation | Sidewalks and multi-use paths for walking, cycling and micro-mobility |
| Local link | Cachet Woods Court extended to connect to the crossing |
| Cost | $110 million: City of Markham $65 million, City of Richmond Hill $28 million, York Region $17 million |
Details from York Region’s project page and September 2, 2026 news release.
Why it was built
York Region says the crossing improves connections between communities and employment areas, helps reduce traffic on major arterial and local roads, and expands walking and cycling options. The project also included environmental work: thousands of native trees and plants, river stabilization and better stormwater quality along the Rouge River.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said at the opening that “great cities are built on great connections.”
Which commutes could improve
No official before-and-after travel-time study has been released, and traffic patterns take a few months to settle after a new road opens. Based on the location, these trips are the most likely to change:
- Cachet residents heading west: Markland Street gives a direct route across Highway 404 without joining 16th Avenue or Major Mackenzie Drive.
- Trips to Richmond Hill employment areas and services: a shorter link for those working or shopping just west of Highway 404.
- Cyclists and pedestrians: a new crossing with dedicated paths, where crossing Highway 404 on foot or by bike was difficult before.
- Drivers who stay on 16th Avenue or Major Mackenzie: may see some relief if traffic shifts to the new link.
Residents of Angus Glen and Cathedraltown may benefit less directly, depending on where they are heading, since Major Mackenzie and Elgin Mills remain their most direct routes west.
Want to test commutes before you buy?
Michael John Lau can help you compare north Markham homes by commute, schools and street, so the route fits your routine.
Book a buyer consultationSearch Markham homesPrefer to talk? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
How to measure your own commute
- Note your current door-to-door time on a typical weekday morning, at the same departure time.
- Try the Markland Street route on the same day of the week for two or three weeks.
- Compare both directions, because evening traffic patterns can differ.
- Check a navigation app’s typical traffic view for each route at your departure time.
A few minutes saved each way adds up to hours over a year, but the real value is often predictability.
Alternatives to 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie
Besides the new crossing, north Markham drivers can use Highway 404 itself to reach Highway 7 or Highway 407, and Highway 7’s Viva rapid transit for trips toward Richmond Hill Centre. GO Transit’s Stouffville line serves Unionville and Centennial stations for downtown trips. For a full comparison of options, see commuting from Markham to downtown Toronto.
What it could mean for north Markham homes
Better road connections can make a neighbourhood more convenient, which buyers value. That said, a single new road rarely changes home prices on its own. Homes close to the new link may see more traffic on nearby streets, while homes further away may simply enjoy a quicker route. Before buying near a new road, drive it at rush hour and walk the street on a weekday evening.
For north Markham communities nearby, see living in Cathedraltown and Angus Glen.
Walking and cycling across Highway 404
The multi-use paths on the new crossing give cyclists and pedestrians a safer way to move between Markham and Richmond Hill. Combined with trails along the Rouge River, it opens new routes for recreational rides and, for some, a realistic bike commute in warmer months. Ultimately, the decision about where to live is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information about how you will get around.
New roads change how a neighbourhood lives, and the best way to know is to drive it yourself. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 or book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
When did the new Highway 404 crossing open?
York Region opened the new crossing to traffic on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Which roads does the new crossing connect?
It links Markland Street in Markham with Orlando Avenue in Richmond Hill, between 16th Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive. Cachet Woods Court was also extended to connect to it.
How much did the Highway 404 crossing cost?
The total was $110 million: $65 million from the City of Markham, $28 million from the City of Richmond Hill and $17 million from York Region.
Can you walk or cycle across the new crossing?
Yes. The crossing includes sidewalks and multi-use paths for walking, cycling and micro-mobility.
Has the new crossing reduced travel times?
No official travel-time data has been published yet. Traffic usually takes a few months to settle after a new road opens, so test your own route over several weeks.
Who benefits most from the new crossing?
Residents in Cachet and nearby north-west Markham pockets crossing Highway 404 toward Richmond Hill are most likely to benefit, along with cyclists and pedestrians.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are licensed REALTORS® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage, 9763 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 1A4. Licence #4784577. Call (647) 370-8885. Project details are from York Region’s Highway 404 Road Crossing Improvement Project page and its September 2, 2026 news release, as available on October 12, 2026. No official travel-time data had been published at that date. This article is general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.
