Construction noise from Hwy. 404 a nightmare for some Markham residents

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 26, 2022
Irene Wong

Markham residents in neighbourhoods around Highway 404 are having a nightmare since the Labour Day long weekend. Overnight clanking noises from Highway 404 have annoyed Markham residents and made a stir on social media.

A Sept. 2 post from residents in Buttonville on Nextdoor reads:

“Anyone heard very Loud construction sound at midnight these two days? Seem Start from 12am until now 3:35am.”

And the noise continued throughout the week:

“Today, Sept 8, the huge banging sound start from 3:40am. Disrupting my sleep.”

The noise has annoyed residents outside of Buttonville as well. Unionville residents are also having a hard time sleeping.

“Hey all -- anyone in Unionville (Fred Varley area) notice a metal banging / clanking noise that’s been going on from 1am till now (2:30am)? It honestly sounds like a raccoon is trying to start his drumming career with pots and pans..... And I’m having such a rough time sleeping,” reads a post on Reddit, which was upvoted throughout the long weekend.

Residents have poured out a stream of complaints about the mysterious metal banging noise on social media sites Reddit and Nextdoor.

“I am in Unionville and hear constant banging around 1:00AM till about 4:30AM. What a bummer? Disrupts my sleep throughout the night.”

“I live at Warden south of 16th Avenue and I have been hearing the pounding all week.”

“Yes we live on John Stiver Crescent we also hear these disturbing noise for past few days around 11pm and very disturbing loud noises.”

“I am in Angus Glen West Village and could hear it.”

“Heard it too. Woodbine and Major Mac. Slept with the window open and got woken up at 3:00am. Glad to finally know what it is!”

Some felt that the City of Markham was to blame for not doing the job of noise bylaw enforcement. Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine gave an explanation on Twitter:

“Loud construction noise reported through the night in many parts of Markham. Turns out to be work on the 404, 24/7 to accelerate progress. Exempt from Markham noise bylaw but city reaching out to MTO to see what can be done.”

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is working behind the scenes.

The MTO confirmed with the Markham Economist and Sun on Sept. 9 that MTO’s contractor is working on Highway 404 and 16th Avenue to accommodate the construction of a future High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on Highway 404 and the widening of 16th Avenue.

“The current noise is due to piledriving operations needed for the construction of the bridge at 16th Avenue,” said Aruna Aundhia, senior media relations adviser communications branch, Ministry of Transportation, in an email in response to our inquiry.

According to the ministry, the work must be completed at night because the operation infringes on aircraft flight paths at the Buttonville Airport.  

The construction contract has been awarded to Dufferin Construction to widen Highway 404 through the addition of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, from one kilometre south of Highway 407 ETR to Major Mackenzie Drive.

The MTO said they have been working with the contractor to minimize the noise issues caused by the piledriving operation, and have the work completed as quickly as possible. However, the work is expected to last a few more weeks, subject to any delays.

The MTO announced an estimated construction schedule from 2022 through 2023. After demolishing and rebuilding the 16th Avenue northbound overpass structure this year, the lowering and widening of 16th Avenue, the realignment of the 16th Avenue ramp going east-south and the widening of the ramp headed northeast/west will take place in 2023. Some of the ramp construction “will be completed over weekends.”