Major Mackenzie Drive Improvements

The improvements to Major Mackenzie Drive were completed in phases to minimize disruption to the travelling public and to coordinate with other projects in the area. Major construction is now complete. Minor work, streetscaping and tree planting will take place in spring 2024.

Phase 2 of work:

Major Mackenzie Drive from McNaughton Road to Keele Street

Phase two improvements began in spring 2023 and included: 

• Widening and reconstructing Major Mackenzie Drive from east of McNaughton Road/Avro Road to Keele Street
• Installing a new centre turning lane from east of McNaughton Road/Avro Road to Keele Street
• Installing a new eastbound right turn lane at Keele Street
• Upgrading all intersections to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards, including installing new traffic signals at the intersection of Major Mackenzie Drive and Gram Street 
• Streetscaping features along Major Mackenzie Drive to align with City of Vaughan’s Maple Heritage District
• Installing sidewalks and bicycle paths within the boulevards 
• Streetscaping and tree planting (spring 2024)

Phase 1 of work:

Mackenzie Drive from Jane Street to McNaughton Road/Avro Road 

Phase 1 improvements began in fall 2022 and included:

• Installing temporary traffic signals at the following locations:
  • Major Mackenzie Drive and Keele Street
  • Major Mackenzie Drive from Jane Street to McNaughton/Avro Road
• Installing a new 400mm watermain on Keele Street across Major Mackenzie Drive on behalf of City of Vaughan
• Replacing a 1050mm storm pipe that is in poor condition on behalf of the City of Vaughan 
• Relocating utilities on Major Mackenzie Drive from Gram Street to Keele Street
• Resurfacing on Major Mackenzie Drive from Jane Street to McNaughton Road/Avro Road, including resurfacing/rehabilitation of Jane Street

What are the benefits of this project?

• The installation of a centre turning lane east of McNaughton Road/Avro Road to Keele Street will provide protection for vehicles seeking access to adjacent properties without impacting the flow of traffic
• The installation of traffic signals at Gram Street will provide a new protected pedestrian crossing across Major Mackenzie Drive
• The installation of the new 400mm watermain on Keele Street at Major Mackenzie Drive will ensure the intersection is not disturbed again during future watermain work by the City of Vaughan
• The new sidewalks and bicycle paths within the boulevards will provide additional travel choices for all users
• The enhanced streetscaping along Major Mackenzie Drive will add to the City of Vaughan’s heritage character 

Are there road closures associated with this project? 

• There are no full road closures anticipated for this project
• Lane closures and reductions will be required throughout the project

Are there lane closures or reductions associated with this project?

• Lane closures will occur in all directions at the intersection of Major Mackenzie Drive and Keele Street for the installation of the new watermain
• Starting March 9, 2023, to approximately April 6, 2023, Major Mackenzie Drive will be reduced to a single lane in each direction from McNaughton Road/Avro Road to Jane Street to facilitate storm sewer replacement work that includes replacing a large 1050mm storm pipe
• Beginning in spring 2023, Major Mackenzie Drive between McNaughton Road/Avro Road and Keele Street will be down to a single lane in each direction for road widening work
• Overnight or weekend work may be required throughout this work to advance construction 

Will there be night work or weekend work?

Night and weekend work may be required to advance construction. York Region will provide advance notice whenever possible.

How is the natural environment considered during construction?

• Erosion and sediment control measures have been included in the contract to ensure there are no adverse effects to the environment
• Extensive consultation has taken place with environmental agencies, including the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), to confirm the proposed work complies or exceeds environmental requirements
• An excess soil plan is in place to ensure that if any contaminated soil is encountered, it is properly disposed of at a licensed receiving site

Why are these improvements taking place?

• York Regional Council continues to invest and make transportation improvements a priority, as outlined in the 10-year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program
• Roads are identified for improvements for a variety of reasons including enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists, managing assets in a state of good repair and improving traffic flow to accommodate population growth by adding new lanes or creating new roads
• To support the growing communities in Vaughan, construction is planned for over 20 locations in the next five years. These projects will include:
  • Road reconstruction and widening
  • New transit terminal connecting to the new Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
  • Intersection upgrades and improvements to enhance traffic operations
  • Pavement repair, preservation and rehabilitation
• As York Region’s population and businesses grow, public roads are accommodating more travellers, goods and services
  • Vaughan’s population is forecasted to grow from 316,000 in 2016 to 497,400 by 2041
  • Vaughan’s employment is forecasted to grow from 209,200 jobs in 2016 to 321,500 jobs by 2041
  • The travel growth in the area (daily trips to and from Vaughan) is forecasted to grow from 895,400 in 2016 to 1,315,700 by 2041, a 47% increase
• By expanding or upgrading infrastructure, we are ensuring we meet the needs of our growing communities now, rather than waiting until we run out of capacity

Why is this construction happening all at once?

• York Region has a 10-year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program which outlines infrastructure projects across the Region. Capital projects are undertaken to improve the community for all York Region residents
• While serving growth remains important, capital spending also focuses on asset management to extend the life of assets, such as roads and bridges, and reduce total costs over their life cycle. Over the next 10 years, $1.4 billion will go to rehabilitating and replacing existing assets. These investments help ensure that assets are in a state of good repair for current and future residents
• The Region and the City of Vaughan are investing in transportation improvements over the next five years to support the record growth in the area, the construction being completed by our partners and to maintain our roads in a state of good repair
  • Infrastructure being constructed by the Region and our partners includes:
    • Road widening and York Region Transit (YRT) bus terminal construction on Major Mackenzie Drive, from Highway 400 to Jane Street, with a direct benefit to the newly constructed Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
    • Installation of water, wastewater and telecom infrastructure and planting street trees as part of road construction projects
• The Region is addressing the growing needs of City of Vaughan residents, businesses and the travelling public, as traffic congestion is identified as the number one public concern in Vaughan
• To maximize as much work as possible, the majority of construction projects are completed in the warmer months when the ground is not frozen and temperatures for mixing and laying asphalt are ideal and traffic volumes are lower

Does York Region coordinate with other projects happening in the area?

Whenever possible, York Region coordinates with the City of Vaughan, developers, utility companies, Environmental Services and other agency infrastructure programs, including the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), Metrolinx, rail authorities, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation and York Telecom Network (YTN), when planning construction projects within the Region. Effective coordination may result in financial benefits and can help minimize impacting the public multiple times and reducing disruption to travellers

Due to the complexity and timing requirements of certain projects, it is sometimes not possible to avoid construction on adjacent or parallel roads.

How are residents impacted by the project being informed?

• To help travellers plan during road construction, we install advance signage, post messages on social media and our website, and distribute notices
• Travellers are encouraged to use traffic and navigation tools. York Region provides real-time traffic and road information in open data, used by many apps
• Find us on social media: @YorkRegionGovt