Main Street Unionville in Markham, Ontario is a heritage village known for its shopping, dining and historical charm. The Main Street Unionville Restoration project focused on upgrading critical infrastructure and enhanced streetscape to preserve Markham’s character and support commercial activities. Throughout the project, upgrades were made to water and storm sewer infrastructure, roadways and streetscaping.
EXP’s project management, contract administration, site inspection, community relations, and geotechnical and field representation services, along with our Client and Contractor project team, kept the project moving smoothly and contributed to the restored, more user-friendly area.
The project was completed in three phases. Phase one, completed in 2024, included watermain improvements to East Lane and Victoria Avenue. The watermains and storm sewers were cleaned and lined to improve their functionality, extend their lifespan, prevent leaks and blockages and provide water reliability. Additionally, 15 streetlights were installed, and four rain gardens were incorporated as part of the project’s low-impact development and stormwater management strategy.
Phase two, completed in 2025, involved watermain replacement along Victoria Avenue, Station Lane and Fred Varley. Interlocking brick pavers were also installed to preserve the historical look and provide stability over time. Updates to the street included 1,029 metres of concrete curb and gutter, street lighting, landscaping, future traffic signal infrastructure and communications conduit installation.
Phase 3, which was recently completed, included the reconstruction of Victoria Avenue with new sub-base, base and surface asphalt. Upgrades were also made to the streetscaping, including an increase in greenery, energy-efficient lighting, benches and bike racks. Decorative lighting, accessible design improvements, public art and an expanded pedestrian realm enhance the area’s existing beauty, while also making it safer and more easily navigable.
Prioritizing community input and communication
EXP, along with local authorities and project partners, played a significant role in keeping the project on track through management of project scope, quality, cost, schedule and communication with the public. Through coordination with city staff, the Councilor’s Office, the Unionville Business Improvement Area (UBIA), operations teams and the contractor, the project team prioritized the input of business owners, residents and stakeholders, and dedicated a field ambassador to keep all parties informed throughout the project. Regular visits to local businesses and the UBIA, as well as a log created to track concerns and resolutions, made sure that any questions were adequately addressed.
Maintaining local operations during construction
With any construction project, interruptions to traffic or utilities may happen. To keep disruptions to a minimum, the team worked with the appropriate parties to ensure that garbage collection, deliveries and emergency vehicle routes remained uninterrupted. In the case of disruptions like planned road closures or water shutoffs, construction notices and plans were communicated clearly and ahead of time to stakeholders that would be impacted. Scheduled events on Main Street Unionville were also coordinated in advance with the contractor to prevent interference with construction.
The result of these improvements is a walkable, culturally rich space, which, with these upgrades, has durable infrastructure that will keep the area safe and enjoyable for residents and visitors for years to come.
Contact Dudistir Gookul to learn more about the project. Learn more about our civic and cultural expertise.