Old Main Street Infrastructure Upgrades Public Consultation Centre (PCC) Responses

Ray Twinney Recreation Complex - November 5, 2025

Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback! The Project Team has compiled the comments and feedback received from the Public Consultation Centre on November 5, 2025, as well as during the two-week question period. The Project Team has provided the following responses below for your information.

Q: Will watermain shutoffs be redone or relocated? Are they considered the boundary for the property?

A: Thank you for your question. Watermain shutoffs are shown on the roll plan. The Project Team is currently reviewing the need for replacing watermain services to the property line.

Q: Will pedestrians still have access to Old Main during construction? If not, where will they be redirected to?

A: Thank you for your question. Yes, pedestrians will still have access to Old Main Street during construction. The construction area will be staged with signed detours. Please ensure to follow and adhere to all construction signage for safety purposes.

Q: Requesting additional traffic calming measures, such as pedestrian crossings so people can cross Old Main (west to east).

A: Thanks for sharing your request for additional pedestrian crossings. The request for a pedestrian crossing has been provided to our Transportation and Development groups for review. The Environmental Assessment completed in 2023, did not identify the need for additional pedestrian crossings based on current and projected traffic volumes for Old Main Street. The need for Pedestrian crossings is still being reviewed in conjunction with the sidewalk location.

Traffic calming measures that will be installed include a new resurfaced narrow roadway, new painted centre line and new curb infrastructure on both sides of the street. These are simple and effective traffic calming measures that are proven to slow vehicular traffic and improve safety.

Q: There is a tree at 213 Old Main Street that is not indicated on the drawings. The owner would like to understand if it will be impacted by the construction works.

A: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The tree will be updated on our base plan. Based on feedback from the Public Consultation Centre on November 5, 2025, the Project Team is currently reviewing the location of the sidewalk infrastructure. This will determine the impact to vegetation along the east/west corridor. The Project Team is working with a certified Arborist to finalize the Tree Protection Plan and will only remove vegetation that is necessary to support the infrastructure. Residents will be consulted in advance of any tree or vegetation removals required to support the construction works.

Q: Requesting additional traffic calming measures on Old Main Street.

A: Thank you for your question. We understand that speed and traffic are important concerns to residents in this community. As identified in the Environmental Assessment (2023) traffic calming measures have been included in the design for Old Main Street. These include a new resurfaced narrow roadway, new painted centre line and new curb infrastructure on both sides of the street. These are simple and effective traffic calming measures that are proven to slow vehicular traffic and improve safety.

Additionally, based on feedback from Public Consultation Centre on November 5, 2025, the Project Team is working with our Transportation group to review additional traffic calming measures such as installing speed radar boards to advise drivers of their speed. The Town will continue to monitor traffic volumes and speeds after construction is complete. If data indicates that conditions have changed or that additional measures are warranted, our Transportation Group will evaluate the need for further traffic calming interventions.

Q: Resident is concerned about the 218-244 Old Main south entrance as it is located directly across from their driveway at 219 Old Main driveway. Resident is concerned about constant entry/exit of cars flashing lights into her home. Also concerns for potential hydroplaning as road reverse crowns in this area as well.

A: Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the proposed driveway. While the development application falls outside the scope of this infrastructure improvement project, we will review our design to ensure coordination and raise any potential issues with the appropriate stakeholders.

Q: Residents at 209 Old Main Street and 219 Old Main Street requested on-site meeting to review drainage and flooding concerns on their property.

A: As per the request received during the Public Consultation Centre on November 5, 2025, an onsite meeting was held on Wednesday, November 26^th at 1:00pm. The purpose of the site inspection was to meet residents to review their drainage and flooding concerns. The Project Manager and Engineering Team reviewed drainage concerns with residents and explained the benefits of installing the new stormwater infrastructure (SWM pond, storm sewers and catch basins) to collect and treat stormwater on the street.

Q: Resident is concerned about Enbridge service connections and is requesting upgraded gas services.

A: Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding Enbridge service connections. Please note that the Town does not own or operate Enbridge gas infrastructure. However, the Project Team will coordinate with Enbridge as required to facilitate any gas main relocation works, as required for the Town’s infrastructure upgrades.

Requests for improved or upgraded gas services should be directed to Enbridge. We understand the importance of reliable services and will share your feedback with Enbridge to ensure they are aware of these concerns. For any immediate service issues or upgrade requests, we encourage residents to contact Enbridge directly through their Customer Service channels at 1-877-362-7434.

Q: Request from residents to include strict measures in specifications to ensure adequate street sweeping to minimize dirt and debris during construction works.

A: Thank you for feedback regarding the importance of strict measures for street sweeping and erosion and sediment control (ESC). We share your commitment to minimizing environmental impacts and maintaining clean, safe streets during construction. The project specifications will include detailed requirements for maintaining a clean and safe construction site such as street sweeping, proper erosion and sediment control, and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with the contract during construction works.

Q: Request for installing underground buried hydro services.

A: Thank you for your suggestion regarding underground hydro installation. Please note that the Town does not direct NT Power on how they install or maintain their infrastructure. Our role is limited to coordinating with NT Power when relocations are required to accommodate Town infrastructure upgrades, while NT Power determines the best way to service their customers.

The option of burying hydro services is currently being reviewed by the Project Team. NT Power has advised that this approach would involve significant costs to relocate the hydro infrastructure such as cables, conduits, transformers, and switchgears. Additionally, it would require access to each individual home to convert the residential hydro service connections from overhead to underground connections and panels upgrades, which is very complex, costly and invasive.

Implementing underground hydro services could also extend the overall construction schedule, which we recognize is an important concern for residents. We appreciate your input and will continue to work closely with NT Power to balance infrastructure needs, project timelines, and community priorities.

Q: Resident shared their frustration on the sidewalk being installed on the east side of the street. They feel the sidewalk should be located on the west side to better connect the development. Also requested the street lighting to be located on the same side as the sidewalk infrastructure.

A: Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the sidewalk being placed on the east side and your suggestion to have it on the west side along with streetlighting. The initial decision was based on technical considerations such as available right-of-way, existing utilities, gradient challenges and minimizing property impacts. Based on feedback from the Public Consultation Centre on November 5, 2025, the Project Team is currently reviewing the sidewalk location to ensure the final design best serves the community. Streetlighting will be installed to provide safety and visibility for all users, regardless of sidewalk placement. We appreciate your feedback and will continue to explore opportunities to improve connectivity and accessibility within the project limits.

Q: Residents raised concerns regarding speed along street and requested a reduction to posted speed of 30km/hr.

A: Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding traffic calming measures. As identified in the Environmental Assessment (2023) traffic calming measures have been included in the design. These include a new resurfaced narrow roadway, new painted centre line and new curb infrastructure on both side of the street. These are simple and effect traffic calming measures that are proven to slow vehicular traffic and improve safety. At this time, there are no further plans to lower the speed limit of 40km/h on the street as it is consistent with posted residential speeds per Town of Newmarket Traffic Bylaw 2011-24.

Additionally, based on feedback from Public Consultation Centre on November 5, 2025, the Project Team is working with our Transportation group to install speed radar boards to advise drivers of their speed. The Town will continue to monitor traffic volumes and speeds after construction is complete. If data indicates that conditions have changed or that additional measures are warranted, Transportation will evaluate the need for further traffic calming interventions.

Q: Resident requested post-construction speed monitoring.

A: Thank you for your suggestion. The Town will continue monitor traffic volumes and speeds after construction is complete. If data indicates that conditions have changed or that additional measures are warranted, our Transportation group will revisit the need for further traffic calming interventions.

Q: Resident inquired if the proposed retaining wall could be made more visually appealing, suggesting options such as a stepped design.

A: Thank you for your suggestion regarding the proposed retaining wall. We appreciate your input on making the design more visually appealing. While the current design prioritizes structural integrity and safety, we will review the feasibility of incorporating aesthetic enhancements, such as a stepped design or other treatments, and coordinate with our design team to explore options that balance functionality and appearance.

Q: Resident has concerns with no on-street parking, especially for those on the east side with very shallow driveways.

A: Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the no on-street parking, particularly for residents on the east side with shallow driveways. The decision to remove on-street parking was based on several factors outlined in the Public Consultation Centre (PCC) material, such as the narrow right -of-way which does not permit the Town to safely maintain street parking clearance to accommodate all necessary features, such as sidewalks, streetlights, and utilities.

Q: Residents were frustrated their culverts haven’t been maintained in the last 15 years. Residents are requesting culvert clean out on Old Main Street.

A: Thanks for sharing your feedback regarding the clogged culverts. The Project Team reviewed this concern with our Road Department in Public Works. Public Works informed the Project Team that the culvert on Old Main Street was flushed and cleaned September 2024. In 2025, Public Works also did some maintenance work such as cleaning catch basins. Public Works will schedule another culvert cleaning in 2026 until the culverts are decommissioned and removed. If you have any further questions about culvert maintenance, please contact our Roads Department in Public Works.

Q: Resident concerned about impacts to the 2 large trees in their front yard.

A: Thank you for raising your concerns about the two large trees in your front yard. We understand their importance to your property and the community. Our team will carefully review the design, and construction plans to minimize any impact on existing trees wherever possible. If removal or significant disturbance cannot be avoided, we will follow all Town guidelines for tree protection and compensation, and we’ll communicate next steps with you before any work begins.

Q: Resident requested the Town to avoid granting extension permit to noise bylaw.

A: Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the potential extension of the noise bylaw exemption. We understand the importance of maintaining a quiet environment for residents. The Town will carefully review any requests for extensions and consider the impact on the community before making a decision.

Q: Concerned about reckless driving and dangerous speeds going through Bexhill Road as residents are using Bexhill Road to bypass Davis Drive.

A: Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding speed and traffic on Bexhill Road.

The Project Team strongly encourages you to report any reckless driving incidents to York Regional Police through their Road Watch Complaint program.

While traffic and speeding concerns on Bexhill Road and nearby residential streets fall outside the scope of the Old Main Street Infrastructure Upgrades project, the Project Team understands that this issue is a big concern for residents. The Project Team is working with our Transportation Group to include Bexhill Road and Old Main Street in the Town’s Speed Management Program. We’re currently exploring additional traffic calming measures, such as installing speed radar boards to monitor speeds and determine the appropriate traffic calming measures.

Q: Resident is concerned that the Stormwater Management Pond is not sufficient.

A: Thank you for raising this concern. The Stormwater Management (SWM) Pond has been carefully designed in consultation with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and supported by detailed stormwater modelling. It is built to manage flows from a 100‑year storm event, ensuring that runoff from the proposed Old Main Street Infrastructure Upgrades is properly captured and treated.

It’s important to note that any future development in the area will be required to manage and treat its own stormwater onsite. At the Public Consultation Centre on November 5, 2025, residents emphasized that flooding is a significant issue. In response, the Project Team is confident that the combination of the new SWM pond and the upgraded storm sewer network will help reduce stormwater‑related concerns along Old Main Street.

Finally, while these improvements will address stormwater management, factors such as the high groundwater table and the Holland River East floodplain are natural conditions that cannot be altered and should be considered separate issues from this design.

Q: Please share the construction timelines for the project?

A: The Project Team would like to share the following approximate milestones which are based on our current schedule and may be subject to change based on project needs:

•Q1/Q2 2026 – Tree Pruning/Removals for Construction works

•Q2 2026 – Utility Relocation (Bell, Rogers, telMAX, Enbridge & NT Power)

•Q2 2026 – Pre-Construction Public Information Centre

•Q2/Q3 2026 – Commence Civil Works Construction (Infrastructure Upgrades)

•Q3/Q4 2027 – Anticipated Completion of Construction

Q: As there will be sidewalks added to the street, will that mean that the houses on the West side will lose part of the driveway and front yard? Also, at any time will we lose access to our driveways or will all the work be done during the day when people are normally at work?

A: Thanks for your questions. The sidewalk is currently proposed on the east side of the street. Based on feedback from residents at the Public Consultation Centre, the Project Team is investigating the preferred location of the sidewalk. In order to make space for the sidewalk infrastructure residents can expect to lose a small portion of their driveways and boulevard located within the Town owned right-of-way.

Construction will primarily be completed during the workday and will adhere to all Town of Newmarket Bylaws. The Project Team aims to minimize disruptions and impacts to residents; however, there will be milestones that may require temporary driveway access interruptions. The Town is currently reviewing temporary parking measures during those times and will provide an update to residents during construction. The Project Team aims to notify residents 24–48-hours in advance of any temporary driveway closures or service interruptions by a letter notice.