York Region using collaborative project delivery model for Sewage Works Project to increase innovation and flexibility

Newmarket – York Regional Council approved the ‘Construction Manager at Risk’ (CMAR) contract model to deliver components of the York Region Sewage Works Project. The CMAR approach assists with meeting the 2028 implementation timeline by supporting overlapping design and construction phases and allowing construction to advance with early material procurement.

“The York Region Sewage Works Project is essential to increase water and wastewater capacity for growing communities in York Region and Durham Region, where our population is anticipated to double by 2051,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “With many complex, large-scale components, this approach will enhance cost control, streamline scheduling, manage risk and drive overall project quality while maintaining effective use of investments and ensuring infrastructure is in place to support new housing.”

Twenty-two project components are identified in the York Region Sewage Work Project Report for York Durham Sewage System North Expansion. Traditionally, York Region would use a Design-Bid-Build contract to deliver most small-scale infrastructure projects; however, larger scale infrastructure projects in the Region’s 10-Year Capital Plan pose an opportunity to explore more innovative and collaborative contracting methods like CMAR.

“By engaging the contractor early in the process, York Region helps ensure project components are aligned during design and construction, while maintaining a clear understanding of cost and schedule,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor, David West, Chair of Public Works - Environmental Services. “Implementing CMAR will offer a strategic advantage given the complexity, scale and critical nature of this infrastructure.”

As required by the Ontario government’s Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 and the associated Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022, York Region and Durham Region are working together to develop, construct and operate the York Region Sewage Works Project, a long-term wastewater infrastructure project across the Towns of East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and Aurora and the Cities of Richmond Hill, Markham and Pickering.

The York Region Sewage Works Project will expand and improve the existing York Durham Sewage System, including new or expanded wastewater sewers, pumping stations and enhancements to the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant on the shore of Lake Ontario in the City of Pickering.

In April 2024, Regional Council received an update on the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ satisfaction with the York Region Sewage Works Project and consultation reports.

Learn more about the York Region Sewage Works Project at york.ca/sewageproject

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact

Melissa Pinto, Corporate Communications,
The Regional Municipality of York 
Cell: 437-997-6821
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