bnr-Clark Aven
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  4. Clark Avenue Multi-Modal Transportation Corridor Retrofit Project

Clark Avenue Multi-Modal Transportation Corridor Retrofit Project

As people of all ages and abilities take to walking and cycling like never before, our project in Vaughan, Ontario, has proven that even existing, traffic-clogged roadways can be transformed to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists over motorists, with minimal impacts to existing landscaping. At Clark Avenue, WSP and the City of Vaughan took the bold decision to narrow the pavement to create a safe and comfortable walking and cycling corridor for the community. The result was improved safety for all, substantial cost savings, and a solution that could be rapidly implemented. Buoyed by its success, the local authority has decided to use this model elsewhere in the City. 

Location

  • Ontario, Canada

Client

  • City of Vaughan

Project Status

  • Completed in 2020

In early 2020, the City of Vaughan embarked on a project that would soon take on new significance as people in urban areas across the world started walking and cycling more as a way of getting out and about during the Covid-19 pandemic. The project, which was accelerated and completed within a compressed 10-month schedule, involved 4.5km of new cycle tracks, 8,500 m2 of pedestrian and accessibility improvements, 28 intersection improvements prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists, and 31 upgraded bus stops. It had an immediate impact on local people’s way of life.

We were appointed by the local authority to work on Clark Avenue, a car-dominated stretch of road linking a major trail system at one end and the site of a future subway station at the other. Initially, the project involved carrying out road maintenance and adding space for cycling alongside the route, but as WSP mentored the local authority through their first retrofit cycle track project, we decided we could go further.

img-Clark Avenue

Rather than simply providing the minimum space for walking and cycling, the idea was to prioritize the wellbeing, enjoyment and experience of pedestrians and cyclists and encourage people of all ages and abilities to leave cars at home. WSP and the City of Vaughan therefore took the bold decision to narrow the pavement width and make other roadway changes. 

The improvement to safety was undeniable. The changes have acted as a traffic calming measure, reducing motorist speeds by up to 20km/hr, and tighter turning space at intersections and improving visibility at crossings have helped pedestrians and cyclists feel safer and more comfortable using the corridor. The new approach also minimized impacts to existing assets, for example, 42 mature trees have been saved from removal and storm sewer upgrades are no longer needed. 

Our work in Vaughan provides better transportation options, better walking and cycling facilities and better access to the bus transit system along a corridor that has a number of destinations, including community centers, schools and places of worship. It's a great example for how the city should be moving forward in a sustainable way
Shawn Smith Senior Project Manager, WSP in Canada

Planned improvements to the regional authority bus network were also integrated into the scope, setting the groundwork for the future expansion of the regional rapid transit system. This has helped to advance the regional projects by two years, mitigating further disruption to the local community and saving the local and regional authorities approximately CA$1M.  

In recognition for its contributions to sustainable mobility, our project received funding awards from the regional and provincial governments, and a nomination for a prestigious Transportation Association of Canada national award. The first of its kind for the City, the Clark Avenue project has become a model for other areas of the City. 

Other challenges that we have overcome