Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is now underway on the Mulock Multi-Use Path (MUP), a project that Newmarket Mayor John Taylor calls one of the most significant trail and path expansions in the history of the city.
The east-west path running along Mulock Drive will stretch from Bathurst Street to Harry Walker Parkway, designed for a wide-range of recreational uses.
The goal for the Mulock Drive MUP is to allow the community to connect to key destinations in Town such as the future Mulock GO Station, existing trails, schools and the future Mulock Property
“Council has been working tirelessly to get this project started, after a small delay because of the pandemic. The time is finally here and once the six-kilometre multi-use path is completed, there will be more ways for the people to visit some of their favourite current and future destinations in Newmarket,” Taylor said.
Work started in 2021 with a feasibility study for the pathway that would run the length of Mulock Drive. Being located on a regional road and stretching just over 6 km, from Bathurst Street to Harry Walker Parkway South, the MUP represents a significant expansion of the town’s and region’s active transportation and recreational trails network and will serve as a key route.
The process of designing a multi-use pathway along the Mulock Drive was made possible due to the collaboration of multiple Town of Newmarket departments, along with York Regional Staff and the town’s consultant WSP. The feasibility study included a topographic review, engineering survey, desktop review, review of the trees along the path, their condition and potential impact, as well as input from different Newmarket and Regional staff. The project is being jointly funded by the Town of Newmarket and Region of York through development charges.
Once the design concept was defined, the town hosted a virtual Public Information Centre to gather comments and feedback from members of the public. The design concept was also informed by a series of industry leading references and guides including the Ontario Traffic Manual’s (OTM) Book18: Cycling Facilities and applicable York Region and Newmarket standards.
The first phase of construction from Bathurst to Yonge streets continues until fall and then phase two – from Yonge to Harry Walker will start.