The City of Markham is commencing the detailed design for the second phase of road reconstruction on Victoria Square Boulevard, from Elgin Mills Road East to Woodbine Avenue (north connection).

The City has retained T.Y. Lin International Canada Inc. (TYLin), to provide detailed design consulting services for this project. Pre-Design Notices are being distributed to stakeholders and impacted residents.

Study Area

Victoria Square Boulevard is located in the northern portion of the City of Markham, east of Highway 404, north of Major Mackenzie Drive East, west of Warden Avenue, and south of 19th Avenue, extending from Woodbine Avenue (south connection) to Woodbine Avenue (north connection). The study area of this detailed design is highlighted in the figure below.

Figure 1: Location Map of Study Area

Goal

The goal of the project is to implement a complete, connected, and sustainable transportation corridor that:

• Improves mobility, safety, accessibility, and travel choice for users of all ages and abilities;
• Strengthens connections to surrounding communities, facilities, and the regional transportation network;
• Preserves and enhances natural and cultural heritage features; and,
• Provides efficient, resilient drainage.

Scope of Work

This project involves engineering design for the reconstruction of Victoria Square Boulevard (from Elgin Mills Road East to the northern Woodbine Avenue connection) to implement infrastructure upgrades. The general scope of work includes:

• Road reconstruction of Victoria Square Boulevard inclusive of curbs, driveways, and parking bays
• New active transportation facilities along Victoria Square Boulevard;
• Improvements to existing intersections;
• New/upgraded street lighting;
• Storm water management and new storm sewers / appurtenances;
• Watermain extensions; and,
• Utility relocation to accommodate reconstructed roadway.

Background

The City of Markham completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for Victoria Square Boulevard between the southern and northern Woodbine Avenue connections, including all intersections. The purpose of the EA was to identify transportation improvements to address the short- and long-term needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists. The EA followed the Schedule 'C' planning process and established a preferred design for the corridor. The preferred design includes urbanizing Victoria Square Boulevard through the addition of curb-and-gutter drainage, storm sewers, centre left-turn lanes in select locations, active transportation facilities on both sides of the roadway, street lighting, landscaping enhancements, utility relocations, and other supporting infrastructure improvements.

Following the EA Study completion, the City completed the detailed design for the segment of Victoria Square Boulevard extending from the southern Woodbine Avenue connection to Elgin Mills Road East, known as Phase 1 of the Project. This assignment represents the continuation of the Phase 1 works and will complete the planned reconstruction of the remaining Victoria Square Boulevard corridor.