- 6km of 1050 mm Concrete Pressure Pipe Watermain on McCowan Road from Major MacKenzie Drive to Stouffville Road in the Towns of Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
- The project included 11 valve chambers (6 line valves, 2 line/branch chambers and 3 air release valves), two connections to the local water system, and two high pressure gas pipeline crossings.
- Five major creek crossings (Little Rouge River and Bruce Creek), with “Jack and bore” tunneling used at two creek crossings, including a 6m culvert at Berczy Creek
York Region’s Long Term Water Master Plan update identified the PD6 McCowan Road Watermain and the North Markham PD6 Reservoir, as priority projects to serve the planned growth in north Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
The Class EA process included route selection and the evaluation of alternative designs, alignments, construction methods (e.g. tunnel vs open cut etc.) as well as potential impacts and mitigative measures.
The project also involved a hydrogeological assessment and extensive dewatering to prevent unstable trench conditions in high water table areas. Monitoring and special measures were necessary to ensure private water (well) supplies and the nearby Robinson Wetland Complex (west side of McCowan Road) were not adversely affected.
Watermain construction was coordinated and staged simultaneously with the new reservoir construction as part of a combined project.
———————————
York Region’s Long Term Water Master Plan update identified the PD6 McCowan Road Watermain and the North Markham PD6 Reservoir, as priority projects to serve the planned growth in north Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
The Class EA process included route selection and the evaluation of alternative designs, alignments, construction methods (e.g. tunnel vs open cut etc.) as well as potential impacts and mitigative measures.
The project also involved a hydrogeological assessment and extensive dewatering to prevent unstable trench conditions in high water table areas. Monitoring and special measures were necessary to ensure private water (well) supplies and the nearby Robinson Wetland Complex (west side of McCowan Road) were not adversely affected.
Watermain construction was coordinated and staged simultaneously with the new reservoir construction as part of a combined project.
Key Features
- 6 km of new 1050 mm CPP Watermain on McCowan Road from Major Mackenzie Drive to Stouffville Road
- 5 watercourse crossings
- 2 tunnel crossings
- Crossing of 2 high pressure natural gas pipelines
- Careful planning allowed for minimal disruption to local residents and businesses
- Complete Environmental Assessment Design and Construction Administration Services
- Subsurface Utility Engineering program (SUE) ( non-destructive test pits) was employed to eliminate utility conflicts during construction
———————————
York Region’s Long Term Water Master Plan update identified the PD6 McCowan Road Watermain and the North Markham PD6 Reservoir, as priority projects to serve the planned growth in north Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Chisholm, Fleming and Associates (CFA) was retained by York Region to provide complete services from a Class EA, Design, through to Contract Administration/Inspection services for the transmission main to supply a new PD6 Reservoir at Stouffville Road. Watermain construction was co-ordinated and staged in conjunction with the reservoir construction on-going simultaneously as part of a combined project.
The Class EA process included route selection and the evaluation of alternative designs, alignments, construction methods (e.g. tunnel vs open cut etc.) as well as potential impacts and mitigative measures. The watermain route traversed tributaries of the Little Rouge River (coldwater), encompassing a wide range of natural heritage features associated with riparian systems as well as tableland features.
The watermain comprised 6 km of concrete pressure pipe, 11 valve chambers (6 line valve, 2 line/branch chambers and 3 air release valves) and 2 connections to the local water system with 5 major creek crossings (Little Rouge River and Bruce Creek). “Jack and bore” tunneling was used at 2 creek crossing including a 6m culvert (Berczy Creek) and at arterial roads (19th Avenue, Major Mackenzie Drive, Elgin Mills Road).
The project also involved a hydrogeological assessment and extensive dewatering to prevent unstable trench conditions in high water table areas. Monitoring and special measures were necessary to ensure private water (well) supplies and the nearby Robinson Wetland Complex (westside of McCowan Road) were not adversely affected.
Traffic management and construction staging strategies were developed to minimize impacts on arterial road traffic and emergency vehicles routing, and local residents and commercial property access.
Extensive liaison with stakeholder groups and regulatory agencies were required for permits and approvals comprising Hydro One for a transmission corridor crossing, DFO and TRCA for encroachment permit and approvals, MOE for dewatering, utility companies for utility relocations and two high pressure gas pipeline crossings.
Sub-surface Utility Engineering (SUE) was utilized to identify utility conflicts and to plan an effective strategy for utility accommodation and relocation prior to construction.