Fall/Winter 2015
Viva has arrived on Davis!
Rapid transit is now a reality on Davis Drive! Known
as the Yellow Line, Viva is now running along the rapidway, picking up and dropping off passengers at Longford, Main and Southlake, before continuing in mixed traffic to make stops at Huron Heights, Leslie, and the Highway 404 park and ride
facility.
We would like to thank you for your patience and understanding throughout construction. We look forward to spring planting and final touches as we finish this corridor for many generations to enjoy.
The introduction of the rapidway on Davis has transformed the way people get around. Sidewalks, dedicated left-turn signals and upgraded infrastructure will serve the needs of pedestrians, transit riders and drivers for decades to
come.
Opening the rapidway marks a significant step forward in connecting our urban growth centres and being prepared for the future. The rapidway supports York Region’s growth plan by encouraging the development of attractive and
pedestrian-friendly places for people to live, work, shop and play.
With a total value of $3.2 billion, our currently funded projects will deliver 34 kilometres of bus rapidways with 36 stations, an 8.6-kilometre subway extension with six stations, an operations facility, two bus terminals and multiple park
and ride facilities over the next five years. The results will go a long way
to making York Region even more inviting and welcoming, and will help support population and economic growth.
ideal communities include transit
VivaNext is an integral component of the Centres and Corridors strategy, which concentrates growth and development in key
areas, and strengthens downtowns in Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.
The Transit-Oriented Development [TOD] beginning to take place on Davis Drive and within Newmarket is living proof of how York Region and Newmarket are managing growth to create complete communities within walking distance of
transit.
Much of the new development built around vivastations will be compact and mixed-use, providing housing, employment, retail, dining, services and recreation. Developments will also include welcoming public spaces, attractive landscaping and
other amenities. This helps make neighbourhoods into more dynamic destinations – and complete communities that are ideal places to live.
green neighbourhoods
VivaNext is helping to transform York Region’s major corridors through the urban design and transportation planning concept
known as the “complete street.” A complete street anticipates and accommodates the needs of all users, while providing a friendly and comfortable environment. This style of design creates a very welcoming urban feel and is reflected in many
European cities which people love to visit.
York Region has recreational parks and green spaces that enhance the beauty of our towns and cities.
In Newmarket alone, approximately 470 trees and 21,000 shrubs and perennials are being planted along Davis Drive. Our challenge with new plantings is to get them to thrive in the first two years, but luckily, all new plants and trees come
with a two-year warranty! Our buses are blue, but we think green!
looking down the road
Even though the rapidway is now in service and people are enjoying a fast, comfortable ride on Viva, there are still a few
things that will need to be done in the new year. The good news is that it should be much less disruptive to everyone making use of Davis Drive.
Most of the effort will be concentrated on the side of the road where we’ll be finishing sidewalks, landscaping and some limited paving activities. In order to move and store equipment and vehicles, we may need to temporarily take a lane or
two to complete the work.
In the end, we’ll have a beautiful, engaging and efficient streetscape that will go a long way to improving mobility and transit in Newmarket.
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The Davis Drive rapidway has been years in the making. Through all the planning, design and construction, there’s
something special about knowing that you’ve contributed to the future growth and prosperity of entire neighbourhoods, towns and regions by connecting people to the places they work, shop and play. 
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Below are your new contacts, should you require assistance:
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Transit services
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Property related matters
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Yonge Street in Newmarket
Significant improvements are coming to Yonge Street in Newmarket. The rapidway project will help revitalize and reshape
this important corridor with even more attractive, pedestrian-friendly places for people to live, work, shop and play.
Most of the work to date has been underground, locating utilities and working with the utility companies to set back their infrastructure to accommodate road widening work in 2016.
Once the construction is complete, trees will be planted roadside and in the medians as part of vivaNext’s landscape plan, which supports York Region’s Greening Strategy. Some trees have been removed this year within York Region’s
right-of-way along Yonge Street to allow the road to be widened and utilities to be moved further back. You’ll also notice some of the businesses along the corridor moving their signs back from the road for the same reason.
We will be in regular communication with businesses and residents in the coming months, keeping you informed of
all the work that is going on so you can plan ahead and avoid delays.
track record of success
We’ve received multiple prestigious awards over the last several years, and three awards were received recently that
celebrate planning, design and innovation.
We landed the number two spot in North America on Roads and Bridges Magazine’s Top 10 Roads list [2015], recognized for our ‘complete street’ design, reduced travel times, and increases in transit ridership and bicycle use.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association gave us the nod for their National Transit Corporation Recognition Award, Marketing and Communications [2015]. The award acknowledges the development and implementation of exceptional advertising,
internal and external corporate communications and public relations.
The American Public Works Association awarded us Project of the Year [2014] for transportation projects of more than $75 million, recognizing our work with consultants and contractors in the management of the Highway 7 East rapidway
project.
VivaNext’s commitment to excellence, innovation and accountability will continue to shape how we work, and the legacy we leave for the future.
