What do York Region's Davis Drive closure and YRT reroutes in Newmarket mean for you?

This report by Farshad Fazaeli is based on information published by York Region (Public Notices), York Region Transit and York Region.

York Region is entering a busy stretch of infrastructure renewal and transit adjustments this fall. Major projects spanning railway crossing repairs, utility upgrades, and network-wide bus alterations will directly influence travel times and daily routines across multiple northern Greater Toronto Area municipalities, including Newmarket, Markham, and Vaughan.

Multi-Agency Davis Drive Closure in Newmarket

Travellers in Newmarket will face substantial detours due to an upcoming full road closure on Davis Drive. According to York Region, Davis Drive will be closed between Main Street and Prospect Street starting Friday, November 13, 2026, at 9 p.m. through Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 6 a.m.

The disruption accommodates Metrolinx as it rehabilitates a railway crossing. Once that railway work concludes, York Region will step in to restore the adjoining road surface. In a bid to minimize future traffic bottlenecks, the Town of Newmarket will simultaneously conduct critical repairs on a sanitary sewer located near the tracks.

During this shutdown, both motorists and pedestrians must follow detour routes. Westbound vehicle access will reach as far as The Tannery Mall and Newmarket GO Station at 465 Davis Drive, alongside the Newmarket Seniors' Meeting Place at 474 Davis Drive. Eastbound traffic will be permitted up to Superior Street. While local driveways within the closure boundaries remain accessible, no through passage will be possible across the railway tracks. York Region notes that emergency vehicles, including those heading to Southlake Health on the opposite side of the tracks, must detour around the site. Signs will guide travellers, while York Region Transit (YRT) routes will detour and GO Transit service faces possible disruptions.

YRT Implements Service Adjustments Across Multiple Routes

Public transit passengers across the region will also need to adjust to route updates that took effect on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with the next scheduled overhaul slated for December 20, 2026.

According to York Region Transit, Route 50 (Queensway) has been rerouted onto Hawkins Street, Smockum Boulevard, and Highway 48 because of safety concerns and construction tied to the High Street reconstruction project. A newly installed stop at Highway 48 and Smockum Boulevard will serve as a layover location, with this arrangement remaining until a replacement bus loop at High Street is finished by 2028. Passengers north of Green Lane can flag the bus operator for safe boarding or drop-off.

Other notable YRT revisions include:

• Route 26 (Maple): Northbound buses operate via Troon Avenue, cutting previous stops on McNaughton Road and Eagle Rock Way east of Troon. Stop 6068 on Eagle Rock Way is out of service; passengers should instead board at stop 7431 at Maple GO Station.
• Routes 52 (Holland Landing) and 425 (Huron Heights School Special): Following the completion of road repairs on Yonge Street between Holland Landing Road and Doane Road, both routes have returned to their regular path on Yonge Street.
• Routes 320 (Jane Express) and 360 (Vaughan Mills/Wonderland): Bus schedules are recalibrated to align with Canada's Wonderland and Vaughan Mills hours, including extra service on Friday, November 28 for Black Friday and Winterfest.
• School-Focused Timing: Route 5 (Clark) and Route 7 (Martin Grove) weekday schedules feature afternoon departures adjusted around bell times at Thornhill Secondary School and Holy Cross Catholic Academy, following operational updates made in late September 2026.

Utility Upgrades in King, Markham, and Georgina

Beyond transit corridors, York Region utility maintenance is underway in several residential areas:

• Nobleton Sewage Pumping Station: At 66 Janet Avenue in King Township, pumping station rehabilitation runs from fall 2026 to summer 2028. Work occurs on Mondays and Fridays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., bringing noticeable construction truck volume along Parkview Drive, Crestview Road, and Janet Avenue.
• Kennedy Road Watermain: In Markham, rehabilitation of watermains and chambers along Kennedy Road is slated from fall 2026 until spring 2027, operating weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Regional officials state that water and wastewater services will remain uninterrupted and property access will stay open despite equipment noise and added vehicle traffic.
• Keswick Ground Studies: Borehole drilling and geotechnical assessments run through December 2026 near the Keswick West Park Heights Water Storage Facility in Georgina. This preliminary work supports plans to replace an aging storage site without interrupting water services.

Regional Detours and Contact Information

Drivers should also keep in mind existing regional bottlenecks, such as the lane restrictions on Bayview Avenue in Newmarket between Stonehaven Avenue/Silken Laumann Drive and Laurelwood Gate/Brooker Ridge, continuing through November 15, 2026, for culvert replacement. In Markham, Warden Avenue remains closed from 16th Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive for urgent culvert rehabilitation.

Travellers are advised to consult yrt.ca or the YRT Trip Planner for detour schedules, check gotransit.com before departing, and review road statuses via York Region’s website or by following #onYRroads on Facebook. Residents with questions regarding water projects or road operations can contact York Region by phone at 1-877-464-9675.

Sources

• York Region (Public Notices): Temporary Road Closure on Davis Drive
• York Region (Public Notices): Additional Truck Traffic for the Nobleton Sewage Pumping Station
• York Region (Public Notices): Kennedy Road Watermain Rehabilitation
• York Region (Public Notices): Notice of Geotechnical Ground Studies
• York Region Transit: Service Changes and Updates - York Region Transit
• York Region: Road Closures | York Region