About the Woodbridge Avenue Improvements & Streetscaping Project
Woodbridge Avenue is a commercial and residential area located in the heart of Woodbridge Village. The Woodbridge Avenue corridor and the surrounding area have been rapidly changing in the last decade with high-density development, including residential and mixed-use buildings, resulting in the growth of a larger urbanized area.
Project background
An extensive review of the infrastructure on Woodbridge Avenue to prioritize what needed to be completed and in what order, including watermain replacement, upgrades to the sanitary sewers, road reconstruction and enhancements like additional trees, art in public spaces and areas that encourage walking and cycling. The Woodbridge Avenue Streetscape Plan (PDF) was developed to outline the project design.
In 2015, the City of Vaughan issued a Request for Proposal for consultants to conduct a Streetscape Plan Study for the Woodbridge Heritage District. The design plan of Woodbridge Avenue between Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue was included in the study area. The study intended to build on an existing policy framework and encouraged the evolution of the Woodbridge Village as a livable, vibrant and sustainable community. The study reviewed the historical and contemporary context, in addition to the identification and development of the distinct character and identity of the Woodbridge core and vicinity study area. The study also included narrowing of the road and an increase of boulevard space. The detailed plan integrated sustainable design and best practices and responded to social, cultural, financial and environmental considerations and opportunities.
The renewed streetscape now promotes walking, cycling and transit use, increases safety between pedestrians and vehicles, supports daily community life and events, captures inspirational, educational and heritage elements, and provides convenient access to trails and open space.
Extensive infrastructure work completed includes road rehabilitation, watermain replacements, sanitary sewer upgrades, streetlighting improvements, traffic signal additions, bridge improvements, parking lay-bys (designated paved parking areas), and streetscape and landscape enhancements.
