In response to resident concerns regarding traffic safety on Dickson Hill Road, between 19th Avenue and Highway 48 (south intersection), the City initiated a resident survey seeking support to close Dickson Hill Road, just north of Mindtech Montessori School. The survey area included all 32 Dickson Hill Road properties located between 19th Avenue and Highway 48 (south intersection).

The survey closed on March 12, 2021 and results have been tabulated and are shown below.

Summary of Survey Results

35 votes were received through Your Voice Markham (YVM)

  • After filtering, only 23 valid votes were received, including those submitted through the Contact Centre (72% response rate).
  • There were several votes that were either duplicated or were not submitted by households within the survey area.

Votes were distributed as follows:

  • 15 properties voted in support of the closure
  • 8 properties voted against the closure
  • 8 properties did not submit a vote

Resident feedback comments were collected as well, and have been consolidated and summarized as follows:

  • The closure will help address traffic safety concerns (speeding, non-local traffic).
  • The aesthetic appearance of the closure could be improved.
  • The closure will negatively affect municipal services and road maintenance service levels.
  • Impacts to school operations:
    • School buses won’t be able to turn around
  • Parents will use the informal cul-de-sac as a student pick-up and drop-off area

Next Steps

Eighteen Month Pilot Project

Even though this road closure received both Council’s and resident’s approval Councillor Keyes has requested this be implemented as a “pilot project”, and that staff monitor the effects on traffic and safety over the next 18 months. We will revisit the closure at the end of the pilot to assess the benefits and drawbacks prior to making a final decision.

We expect to implement the closure this summer, when schools are closed. This will allow traffic patterns to adjust to the closure, prior to school starting in the fall.

In advance of the road closure, information signage will be posted specifying the date and location of the closure and City staff will monitor traffic operations over the course of the 18 month pilot period.

The conclusion of the pilot will result in either maintaining the road closure, or removal and consideration of alternatives.