Newmarket plans to improve traffic flow into the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex but warns of dust and some disruption to come as part of the McCaffrey Road reconstruction.
The town held a final public information centre for the project April 26 for the project set to start this June, which also includes resurfacing along several side streets.
Ainley Group capital projects group lead Terry Hoehn said though traffic control measures are remaining the same, the entranceway to Ray Twinney from McCaffrey will be widened, an issue that came up in previous feedback.
“Part of this work will be to widen that entrance to allow for better sightlines, turning movements, and it will allow for traffic coming out separate left and right turn lanes. That will help improve traffic movement,” he said.
The $2 million project also includes resurfacing along Eagle Street (between Yonge and Millard), Rannie Road (to Rita’s Avenue), Keith Avenue, Rhodes Circle and Doyle Court. The town will replace asphalt and repair damaged curbs and sidewalks throughout the project area, which Hoehn said should help address drainage issues.
But bike lanes, an issue raised in the last information centre, are remaining out of the project. Although included in the town’s active transportation plan, Hoehn said those lanes are excluded given the town suspended the plan pending further council review. However, he added that bike lanes could come in the future.
The project is also removing a proposed sidewalk on Rannie Road based on previous comments. Instead, staff are pursuing approvals with Hydro One for a trail connecting McCaffrey and Rannie through the hydro corridor. Intersections along McCaffrey, Eagle and Keith are also getting upgrades with zebra crossings.
The work will go from 7 a.m. to 7 p,m. from Monday to Friday, with weekend work unlikely though possible on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, Eagle Street West will have evening work to limit traffic disruption, running from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Hoehn said the contractor would attempt to limit disruption, with one lane kept open and residents having access to driveways.
“There will be dust. There will be mud. It’s inevitable on these jobs,” he said. “Be patient, but it is expected it’s going to happen. We’ll do everything we can with the contractor to minimize the impacts.”
That includes concentrating construction in the summer in school areas to avoid disrupting them when they are back in session during the fall.
Some driveway restoration will also be required, which will be handled by the contractor. Hoehn said residents can also make an agreement with the contractor to repave a whole driveway.
Staff said the work will take approximately five to six months to complete.
“Just have patience, care and caution during construction,” Hoehn said. “Everyone that’s working on the site, they all want to get home.”
The contacts for the project are Hoehn and town capital works project coordinator Anthony Riley. You can reach them respectively at [email protected] or 705-726-3371 ext. 235, and [email protected] or 905-953-5300 ext. 2502.
Editor's note, April 27, 2022: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of McCaffrey Road.
