Metrolinx and York Region contractors continue the project to build a rapidway — bus-only lanes in the centre of the roadway — along Davis Drive in Newmarket.

From 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day, gas crews are installing a new gas-main on the re-aligned part of Parkside Drive starting Thursday, March 5, for about three weeks or until March 27. (At times they may work weekends and overnight).

They’ll use directional drilling, a tunneling technique that reduces disruption and excavation. They’ll install the new gas-main in this sequence:

1. Along the east side of Parkside, between Davis Drive and Deerfield Road;
2. Along the west side of Parkside, just south of the 130 Davis Newmarket Plaza entrance; and
3. In the boulevard on the south side of Davis, just west of Parkside.

As part of this process, crews will also have to excavate or dig out large areas. They’ll block off and secure these areas at all times. While they’re working on the east side of Parkside, they’ll also block the northbound curb lane, just south of Davis for about five days, or until March 13. However, they’ll maintain south- and northbound traffic on Parkside at all times. They’ll also block a sidewalk on Parkside. Directional signs will direct you safely around the work zone to the nearest open sidewalk on Parkside.

The contractors will maintain pedestrian and vehicle access to #s 130 and 200 Davis Drive and the businesses on Deerfield Road.

This is the final segment of gasline they’ll be installing on the corridor.

As crews continue to make great progress building the vivastation in front of Southlake Regional Health Centre, they’ll temporarily close the access lane to Bolton Avenue from Davis Drive Friday March 6 from about 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. as they pour concrete to form the westbound platform.

Motorists exiting Bolton may only turn right onto Davis during these hours. They cannot turn left onto Davis. Motorists heading eastbound on Davis may reach Bolton by using the access lane in front of #665A Davis, just east of KFC.

Traffic control staff will be on site to help direct traffic flow.

During Davis Drive rapidway construction, expect delays for GO Transit buses operating along this route:

• 65 Newmarket / Toronto.

Also expect delays for York Region Transit buses operating along these routes:

• 44 Bristol;
• 50 Queensway;
• 54 Bayview;
• 55 / 55B Davis Drive;
• 58 Mount Albert;
• 223 Newmarket GO shuttle; and
• 520 / 521 Newmarket community bus.

Source: vivaNext.