Metrolinx and York Region crews continue the next phase of the project to build a rapidway — bus-only lanes in the centre of the roadway — along Davis Drive in Newmarket.

Starting yesterday, Tuesday, July 11, they’ve set up rolling lane closures at various locations along Davis Drive between Lundy’s Lane / Prospect and Yonge Street to install concrete foundations for new hydro poles. They’ll be blocking the lanes from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. each day.

Moving east, crews are installing the pole foundations on the north side of Davis Drive. From time to time, they’ll be moving back and forth throughout the corridor to complete the work. They’ll also work on side streets just off of Davis Drive, including Main Street, Longford Drive and Barbara Road, to install the pole bases on Davis.

Work continues until August 10.

The work requires about two hours to complete at each new hydro-pole site. At each site, they’ll be

• Drilling a hole for the hydro-pole base;
• Placing a cage of rebars in the hole;
• Pouring concrete.

Once the concrete cures — a day or two after the work — crews will return to each work site to backfill the area and remove the safety fencing. They may also return to the north side of the street to install hydro-pole foundations that they may have skipped during their earlier work due to other construction work at those sites.

Work crews may temporarily close sidewalks at various locations and may have to close or relocate stops for York Region Transit buses operating along the 44 Woodspring - Bristol, 50 Queensway, 54 Bayview, 55 / 55B Davis Drive, 58A Leslie North via Mount Albert and 224 Newmarket GO shuttle routes or GO Transit buses operating along the 65 Newmarket / Toronto and 69 Sutton / Newmarket routes. Signs will direct pedestrians to detour routes or direct passengers to the nearest available bus stop.

Some noise and dust may result from the work.