Lane closures on Newmarket's Davis Drive expected for next 5 months

Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on Davis Drive for next five months, sidewalks, trail still open

Yorkregion.com
July 8, 2019
Teresa Latchford

Intermittent road closures can be expected on Davis Drive as work begins on Newmarket’s Keith Bridge.

York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) has just announced a detailed work plan aimed at addressing cracking and delamination on the barrier walls next to the sidewalks on the historic bridge located along the Davis Drive rapidway, close to the Tannery Mall, just east of historic Main Street.

“Following the past three winter seasons, we’ve been conducting detailed investigations to understand the root cause and how to best rectify the situation under our warranty inspection process,” Bus Rapid Transit Program director Liza Sheppard said.

The work is to begin next week and is expected to be completed under warranty, meaning the taxpayers won’t be on the hook for the bill. When complete, it will include the same replica period light fixtures and poles, heritage-style concrete walls and heritage plaques, Sheppard confirmed.

The original bridge was demolished and a new bridge was rebuilt during the Davis Drive rapidway project.

The project is expected to take about five months, as the walls are removed using hand tools and new walls are formed, poured and cured on-site. Work on the north side of the bridge will be first followed by work on the south side.

The Tom Taylor Trail is expected to remain open for use with netting and fencing installed above the path to ensure the safety of the general public. Directional signs will guide pedestrians along the sidewalk, which will remain open as well.

During work on the north side on the bridge (westbound traffic), the dedicated left-turn lane into the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce and the Newmarket Seniors' Meeting Place will be used as a regular through lane to help maintain traffic flow on Davis. Those wishing to visit either location will be directed through to Main Street, where they will be able to make a U-turn on the advance green traffic light, and proceed eastbound to the Chamber and Newmarket Seniors' Meeting Place driveway.

Viva service on Davis Drive will continue to operate as usual. More information about the project and updates can be found at Vivanext.com.