Brace for traffic, Newmarket, the forcemain twinning project is coming through.
Once complete in fall 2021, the project known as the York Durham sewage system forcemain twinning project will see a new 5.1-kilometre major sewage pipe installed or twinned alongside the one existing pipe running through Newmarket that officials say is necessary to ensure the health and safety of the community and environment.
The $110.6-million project is billed as “significant and urgent” to Newmarket’s wastewater system and is being led by the Regional Municipality of York.
When a sewer is not twinned, the community is at risk of a disruption of service, such as a sewage pipe break because this puts the local environment at risk and the sewer would be taken out of service until repaired, the region says.
At a May 15 public information meeting, officials from the region heard some concerns from residents about the potential construction impacts to local neighbourhoods near the 10 upcoming job sites.
Resident Michelle Bourdeau said she attended the session because the street she lives on is one of the designated work areas. Meanwhile, William Bourdeau said that while he is worried about the construction noise, he is also excited about the prospect of seeing the heavy equipment in action.
The first three of 10 construction locations is scheduled to begin just after Father’s Day, June 16, and includes Cane Parkway, from Mulock Drive to Lorne Avenue, where microtunneling construction will continue south of Mulock, down to St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Course.
Microtunnelling is a type of trenchless technology that uses a laser-guided remote-controlled tunnelling machine to install pipe with minimal disruption at ground surface, according to regional documents. About 95 per cent of the construction will be done with microtunnelling.
This construction method was given the nod because it is said to have minimal disruption to the environment, reduced road closures, and less disruption to traffic, the region states.
Here's what you can expect during summer and fall 2019 in the first three southernmost construction zones:
- There may be short-term closures on Cane Parkway, but the Tom Taylor Trail will remain open during construction;
- Construction activities will be coordinated with Town of Newmarket events as the Municipal Offices are near the construction site;
- If one lane is closed, two-way traffic will be maintained;
- The parking stalls on Cane Parkway will be closed;
- Three-metre tall fencing will be erected around the job sites;
- Trucks will be provided a turnaround at Cane Parkway and Lorne Avenue to avoid traffic through residential areas.
Between approximately mid-June 2019 and fall 2021, the following 10 areas in Newmarket are identified as job sites for the sewage project:
- Cane Parkway
- South of Mulock Drive
- St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Course
- Bayview Parkway and Elgin Street
- Madsen’s Greenhouse on Bayview Parkway
- Davis Drive and Bayview Parkway
- Queen Street and Charles Street
- All Our Kids Playpark
- Fairy Lake
- Cotter Street
The region said its staff and paid-duty York Regional Police officers will be on-site as required to help with the movement of traffic. As well, measurement of noise and vibration will be measured prior to construction and continuously during construction, including pre-construction assessment of nearby structures, where necessary.
Full restoration of the work areas will be completed after construction.
York Region has launched a dedicated website for the project here, which includes information about potential construction impacts and the mitigation plans in place to deal with truck traffic, specifically.
For more information, you can also call 1-800-667-4817 or email [email protected].
