York Road reconstruction

The York Road reconstruction program

The City of Guelph is completing the York Road reconstruction program to increase water, wastewater and multimodal transportation (pedestrians, cyclists and motorists) servicing for future City growth.

The project will improve both the existing and future services for residents and businesses city-wide. For more information, please see the background section at the bottom of this webpage.

The reconstruction program has been broken up into the following phases for implementation:

  • Phase 1 – Wyndham to Ontario Street (completed in 2017)
  • Phase 2 – Ontario Street to Stevenson Street South (completed in 2022)
  • Phase 3 – Stevenson Street South to Victoria Road South (anticipated start Spring 2023 – Summer 2024)
  • Phase 4 – Victoria Road South to East City Limit (anticipated start April 2024 to Winter 2026)

The dates above are the City’s current estimate of when the works will be completed given the status of the individual projects. Please note that the above dates may change as new information becomes available.

Please refer to the sections below on the individual project phases for more detailed information.

Phase 3: Stevenson Street South to Victoria Road South

The City has tendered the York Road Phase 3 reconstruction project. Bell utility work started in early 2023. Bell utility work is complete and work to install groundwater monitoring wells is also complete.

Stage 1: Road reconstruction from Stevenson Street to Brockville to start Spring 2023

A temporary full road closure from Stevenson Street to Brockville Avenue will begin the week of May 15 and take about two weeks to complete. This closure is for excavation work and the road will be re-opened when the work is complete.

A full road closure from Stevenson Street to Brockville Avenue will take place for the remainder of Stage 1. The start time is dependent upon approvals and will be communicated at least two weeks in advance.

During the full road closure, York Road will be closed in both directions. Access will be maintained as best as possible for residents living in and around the project site during construction.

We will communicate both closures using signs, newspaper newspaper advertisements, hand delivered notices and social media.

To mitigate issues with traffic circulation the City will complete the project in two stages as described and shown below.

Stage 1 (purple on the map) will include York Road, from Stevenson Street South intersection to Brockville Avenue and a localized area on Stevenson Street from Ferguson Street and the Guelph Junction Railway (GJR) tracks. The remainder of York Road Phase 3 alignment (east of Brockville Avenue to Victoria Road South) will be accessible during Stage 1.

Stage 2: Road reconstruction from Brockville Avenue to Victoria Road to begin after Stage 1

Stage 2 (blue on the map) will include construction from Brockville Avenue to Victoria Road. Areas affected during Stage 1 will be open during Stage 2.

During Stage 2 the contractor will maintain traffic access to all the side streets, as best they can. To help facilitate traffic circulation the contractor will build a temporary road between the end of Brockville Avenue and Hayes Avenue to provide access to Hayes Avenue, Kingsmill Avenue, Menzie Avenue, Audrey Avenue and Lawrence Avenue via Florence Lane. Florence Lane will remain a one-way street. Residents will have to use Dodds Avenue or Brockville Avenue to access Hayes Avenue on the temporary. Residents will have to leave their homes via Florence Lane. The City will install a temporary traffic signal at Florence Lane and Victoria Road to facilitate turning movements onto Victoria Road. The temporary signal will only be in place for Stage 2 work.

This is the preliminary plan and modifications may be required to facilitate construction. A traffic circulation plan will be posted on this webpage when it is available.

The City understands that the traffic impacts to residents caused by this work are inconvenient for everyone and appreciates all residents’ and drivers’ ongoing patience as we complete this necessary work.

The dates shown on the below phasing map are the City’s current estimate of when work will be completed but are subject to change.

Phase 4: Design work ongoing

Upgrades on York Road from Victoria Road South to the eastern City limit (east of Watson Road) are being designed. At this time a consultant has been retained and is working through a preliminary design. The preliminary design will be presented at an open house once it is completed.

This section of York Road is expected to be completed in three construction seasons with construction work starting in mid-2024 and being completed in late 2026.

Background

As a truck and Guelph Transit route, York Road is a critical arterial road in Guelph. The York Road Environmental Assessment was completed to address travel needs along York Road. The Environmental Assessment identified the improvements to be made along York Road from Wyndham Street to the eastern City limit, east of Watson Road. The York Road environmental design study will identify the design options for improvements from Victoria to the eastern City limits.

The Cycling Master Plan is a 10-year strategy to make cycling easier, safer and more accessible in Guelph by building a connected network of on– and off–road bike facilities throughout Guelph. It is part of the City of Guelph’s efforts to support sustainable transportation, relieve traffic congestion, and make mobility accessible to all road users. Adding bike lanes to York Road will also help to accommodate all road users, including public transit, cycling, pedestrians and vehicles.

All construction notices, including timing updates and traffic changes will be posted at guelph.ca/construction and in the latest updates section below.

Community engagement

The City hosts open houses to provide detailed information about the project.  Open house notices are posted in the latest updates section below. Open house materials will be available online following the event. Please visit Have Your Say for more information.

For more information

Steven Di Pietro, Project Engineer
Engineering and Transportation Services
City of Guelph
519-822-1260 extension 2348
Mobile 226-820-0154
[email protected]