The rapidway project in the Bathurst & Centre area is making excellent progress – and the transformation of the corridor is in the home stretch. With Centre Street’s long-term lane closures opened again – and two lanes of traffic are flowing both eastbound and westbound – drivers will have relief. It’s the perfect time to take a fresh look at traffic movements and safety in the area.
good habits are key when it comes to safety
During the heaviest construction periods, a number of
drivers may develop habits of cutting through residential streets that are
meant for local traffic only as a short-cut around construction. Oftentimes,
higher volumes of traffic and excessive speeds are noted on roadways meant for
quiet, residential neighbourhoods.
We understand and acknowledge the inconvenience and frustration
of construction. However, it is important to remember the following:
stick to the main arterial roads and avoid
residential short cuts
obey posted speed limits
watch for pedestrians crossing
a
project designed with quality of life in mind
The new streetscape on Centre and Bathurst streets is
designed with the people of the community top of mind. It’s becoming a more
walkable and beautiful area with wider, tree-lined sidewalks with updated
infrastructure and easy access to rapid and local transit – and many places to
live, work, shop and play.
As the community grows and people adopt new travel patterns, we drive positive change together. Bus rapid transit and subway connections are a key part of planning for change and growth. As part of the Centres and Corridors initiative, we are building a project that is much more than just a rapidway.
This protected path
for pedestrians and cyclists has signalized intersections at each end to enable
safe crossings back to the sides of Highway 7.
Separated from traffic
and transit vehicles by concrete barrier walls on either side, the multi-use
path is wide enough for two-way travel. By bringing travellers away from the
outside of the bridge, as well as the busy ramps of Highway 400, the new
multi-use path improves regular traffic flow, and crucially for pedestrians and
cyclists offers an effective, convenient solution as people make connections to
and from the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre and throughout Vaughan and York
Region.
While centre-road
travel for cyclists and pedestrians is a new concept here in York Region,
they’ve been built in the U.S. and were originally inspired by the Sands
Street Bikeway in Brooklyn, NY.
Integrated with the
City of Vaughan’s bike lane program and York Region’s network of bike lanes,
the multi-use path connects with raised bike lanes and wider pedestrian
sidewalks west of Highway 400, from Famous Avenue to Bruce Street [raised bike
lanes opening in 2020], and with bike lanes already constructed on Highway 7 from
Edgeley Boulevard/Interchange Way to Bowes Road/ Baldwin Avenue, as well as up
Millway Avenue to the subway and the newly opened SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
As rapidway construction on Yonge
Street in Richmond Hill progresses, dedicated bus lanes and vivastations are
being built in the centre lanes.
This means the way that signalized
intersections work is changing – especially if you’re a pedestrian, or a driver
turning left or wanting to make a U-turn.
Here’s what to watch for:
Dedicated lefts and U-turns now
happen at intersections
Signalized intersections will now
have a dedicated left-turn traffic signal. This means that drivers can make
left turns or U-turns only when the left-turn signal is illuminated. The
protected movement through the intersection makes it safe and efficient to get you
where you’re going.
To reach driveways mid-block
To get to driveways located
mid-block on the other side of the road, drivers will no longer be able to turn
left between intersections; instead drivers should make a U-turn at the next
signalized intersection.
Making a left at an intersection is
safer than cutting across multiple lanes of traffic, and ensures that drivers
trying to turn left get their turn, and don’t have to rush through a yellow.
Changes for pedestrians
The new intersections will be wider
with more lanes and new traffic signals. At intersections that will have
vivastations, pedestrians may cross the road in two stages if unable to get to
the other side during the first signal. A countdown signal will indicate how
many seconds pedestrians have left to safely cross the street.
Check out the video, “Rapidway
intersections: safe journeys” for safe navigation of the new
intersections for pedestrians, cyclists, driver and transit riders.
Have you
ever seen a group of people with white hard-hats walking along a rapidway
construction site, although it seems like there isn’t much construction
happening? Have you ever wondered, “How many people does it take to look in a
hole?” or, “Why is everyone just standing around and talking?”
Well, we hope
to help answer those questions.
getting a closer look
The
constructor schedules regular walk-downs of each of our rapidway construction
projects – from one end to another – in order to closely review completed, ongoing
and upcoming work. Different walks have different purposes, including safety
monitoring, the quality of work in progress and the quality of completed
elements to ensure everything works as intended once the rapidway opens for
service.
That’s not
all. As we get closer to a project’s completion and opening for service, the
number of walk-downs goes way up to ensure that everything has been built
according to plan in order to ensure that projects can be opened for service to
the public. Here are some answers to the two biggest questions about walk-downs:
why so many people?
Each team
member on a walk-down has a specific job. And depending on the purpose of the walk-down,
a variety of people with different expertise may participate.
To review
an area before a major work operation, for example, the walk-down team may
include a vivaNext Project Engineer, who would ensure that the work plan is
accurate to engineering drawings; and the Community Liaison, who communicates
the impacts to businesses, residents and other stakeholders.
It may
also include an Engineer from York Region’s Transportation Services, who inspects
the roadway elements – such as street lighting, sidewalks, boulevards, traffic
signals, pavement markings, and signs – and ensures compliance with lane
closure permits;
Safety
Managers ensure that the work plan is safe. And Supervisors from the Constructor
and sub-contractor companies take everyone through the work plan and operation.
In some
cases, municipal and regional staff will join us on inspections– for example, with
water main connections, vivastation construction, paving, and red asphalt in
the rapidways; and for works near Highway 400, provincial Ministry staff may
join the walk-down.
what are they looking for during a walk-down?
Participants
are looking at a variety of factors based on their role within the project team,
and depending on the particular purpose of the walk-down.
Some
participants are specifically looking for possible errors in construction – in new
pavement, installed signs, storm sewers, and other quality concerns to be
addressed.
All items are
documented and while some items may need to be fixed immediately, others will be
addressed during the contractor’s warranty period. Other participants look for
how the operation will unfold and the impact to the community, such as accessibility
for pedestrians. Follow-up walk-downs are then scheduled to review progress on
documented items.
Each
participant on a walk-down plays an important role in order to deliver
high-quality rapidway projects throughout York Region.
STAYING INFORMED
Make sure
to connect with us on social media to receive regular construction updates and
stay in touch! The
best way to stay informed about our construction projects is to sign-up for
email notifications at vivanext.com/subscribe, and to follow us on our
social media platforms.
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation’s President, Mary-Frances Turner, spoke yesterday at the Global Public Transportation Summit in Stockholm, Sweden. Along with speakers from Melbourne, Australia; Paris, France; and Vancouver; she presented about the role of public transport in shaping cities. Her presentation, Art of the Possible: Turning a car-centric municipality into a culture of livability with transit, talks about how in York Region, smart growth and transit policies have been a catalyst to building a strong transit system and vibrant urban centres. How the rapidway projects have provided walkable, livable and desirable communities through smart growth, attractive streetscapes and investment.
The
presentation in Stockholm allows us to showcase York Region, and more
importantly, it’s an excellent learning opportunity, to see what other cities
around the world have done to overcome challenges and shape their communities.
Last month,
our Design Chief, Infrastructure and Development, Stephen Hollinger, spoke at
the Urban Transit Infrastructure West conference in Vancouver on the topic of
alternative financing for transit projects. This is a hot topic lately, and we
were happy to share and discuss our experiences with public-private
partnerships.
We only travel to a select few national and international conferences. More often, we’re part of panels and round-table discussions held in the GTA, or we’re hosting visitors from other cities around the world. Just recently, a delegation of visitors from Barcelona, Spain went for a tour of our transit service facility in Richmond Hill and the transit hub in Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Since we opened our first rapidway segment on Highway 7 East in 2013, we’ve received visitors from several cities across North America, delegates from Europe, and our tours have been part of conventions held locally by public works and transit associations.
Whether it’s learning from the best and brightest in Ontario or around the world, we’re always exploring and discovering the latest in community building and transportation technology, so we can continue to plan the best travel options for those who live, work and travel in York Region.
Despite wavering weather from Mother Nature, crews have been busy with a number of work activities across each of our construction projects in Richmond Hill, Newmarket and Vaughan.
If you’ve been out driving or walking along these projects, you
may feel that construction can sometimes be messy, chaotic, and never-ending. Although
all this work may appear identical, there are actually a number of construction
activities underway, many of which require specialized crews. But, before work
starts on each of rapid transit projects, there’s careful planning that goes on
behind the scenes.
vivastations
There are many steps in building each of the iconic vivastations
across our projects, all which are carefully planned to ensure work can get
completed efficiently, while ensuring everyone – pedestrians, motorists and
construction workers – remain safe. When complete, transit users will be able
to enjoy new technology and innovative features that each vivastation offers.
Building a vivastation is sort of like putting together the pieces
to a puzzle. Each step carefully lays the foundation for the vivastation,
prioritizing consistency, quality, and safety.
As the year progresses and work on our vivastations begins to
unfold, keep your eyes out for each of the following steps that go into building
a vivastation!
1. Excavation, caisson drilling, and finishing
After the existing asphalt and road base is removed in preparation
for construction, circular caissons are drilled 8 to 10 meters (26 to 32 feet)
into the ground. Caissons are reinforced concrete columns placed below ground
that act as the foundation for platforms. First, a large drill is used to
create a deep hole for the column. Next, a steel rebar cage is placed in the
drilled hole. Finally the hole is filled in with concrete.
2. Platforms, barrier walls are formed, poured, and cured
Once the caissons are installed, the concrete station platform and
barrier walls will start to take shape. A concrete slab reinforced with steel
is built on top of caissons to serve as the platform for vivastations. Concrete
for the barrier walls are then formed, which provide delineation between the vivastation
and live traffic, making them a key safety feature of every vivastation.
Prior to the installation of the barrier walls, electrical conduits
are placed within the steel rebar cage. Plywood
forms are used as a mold for the walls and are placed around the rebar. Concrete
is poured into the forms to create the barrier walls. Once the concrete is
hardened, the forms are removed and the barrier walls are smoothed out to
remove any surface imperfections.
3. Steel erection
A steel skeleton – prefabricated offsite and transported by trucks
– is then erected on the concrete barrier walls. Prior to delivery to the site,
the steel canopy is painted with a resin coating, in a champagne bronze colour.
These structures are raised into place by a large crane with
careful maneuvering and precision. Lanes are often reduced around the
vivastation during this procedure to ensure pedestrians, motorists and crews
remain safe.
4. Glass
installation
Each of our vivastations use tempered glass, which contains properties
that strengthen the glass, ultimately creating a safe and durable structure
that covers the exterior of the vivastation.
The glass is pre-cut and tinted prior to delivery to the site.
Construction crews then carefully place the glass onto the canopy, creating our
beautiful, signature blue vivastations.
5. Tile
work on platform
Tile work is then done on the platforms, including tactile tile
work at every vivastation. These tactile tiles are either cast iron or porcelain
plates – depending on the construction project – that act as a textured ground
surface indicator. These tiles are able to assist pedestrians and passengers
who are visually impaired effectively navigate the surrounding environment.
Similar to our bus stops, we install directional tiles at every
vivastation platform. Directional tiles are brown, textured tiles that help to assist
visually impaired pedestrians and passengers in determining accurate direction
of travel.
6.
Electrical and IT systems
The installation of electrical and IT (Intelligent Transportation)
systems are spread out throughout the whole construction process. However, most
of this work happens close to when the vivastations will be completed. Security
and PA systems, emergency call boxes (ECB), lights, and motion-activated
heaters within the enclosed waiting area are installed, along with PRESTO/VIVA
fare vending machines.
7. Fixture
installation
Fixtures common to every vivastation are installed. These include,
but are not limited to, garbage and recycling bins, handrails, doors, signs,
and benches, signaling that the rapidway will soon be open for service.
building
transit for the future
It takes time to build transit that will have a lasting impact on
generations to come. Our construction projects are about more than just
dedicated lanes for bus rapid transit – they’re about connecting people and
places, and providing complete streets for the entire community to benefit
from. Complete streets provide economic, environmental and social benefits that
lead to an overall improvement in quality of life.
Transit riders, residents and businesses are best served when
transit works as an integrated system. It’s crucial for transit services to
work together as a well-planned network, connecting different modes of
transportation and destinations. And we’re proud that our vivastations play an
integral role in connecting the community in a faster, more efficient way.
STAYING
INFORMED
Make sure to connect with us on social media to receive regular
construction updates and stay in touch! The best way to stay informed about our construction
projects is to sign-up for email notifications at vivanext.com/subscribe, and to follow us on our social media platforms.
Sometimes we’re so locked into daily routines we stop noticing what’s new and changing around us. York Region is made up of fast-growing communities. As we go about living, working, and commuting we don’t always see the new park around the corner, the tulips blooming, new buildings under construction, or the blue glass on that new bus station.
Things
change gradually. Bit by bit, our communities grow to meet our needs. New
greenspace makes the neighbourhood a nice place to spend time. New buildings
give us places to live and work, and new bus rapidways, terminals and subways bring
new travel options and connection points. Choices and options are what make the
places we choose to live that much better and here in York Region we’re seeing
those changes continue to improve our way of life.
As our
communities grow and people adopt new technology and travel patterns, we drive
change together. Bus rapid transit and subway connections are a key part of
planning for change and growth. We’ve been steadily building projects in York
Region that not only provide rapid transit, but also put new infrastructure in
place. These investments in new underground utilities, new bridges, tree-lined
sidewalks and accessible traffic signals will prepare for current and future
residents and businesses. Transit supports growth and development as
communities continue to grow.
With all these
changes come new possibilities. So be inspired, explore your community this
spring and discover the wonderful places around you.
If you’ve been following the conversations about transit projects in the media recently, you’ve probably heard some of the debate around which project should be built first. We’ve been following the debates too, and we’ve come to the conclusion that the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area [GTHA] needs as much transit as possible.
The Yonge Subway Extension [YSE] has been in York Region’s Transportation Master Plan since 1994, and here at YRRTC we’ve been working on moving it forward since we became a corporation in 2003. We of course support the YSE being built, but it’s not just a matter of one project. It’s a connected network. It’s commuters crossing municipal boundaries. And it’s important that it all come together in the next decade or so.
Why? Well partially it’s because there hasn’t been enough transit built in the past 50 years and we need to catch up a bit. And we also need to keep up with the growth to ensure the number of people, businesses, jobs and housing continue to grow in York Region and the GTHA.
York Region is expected to grow from 1.2 million residents to 1.5 million by 2031
York Region has 51,000 businesses, and together with the Toronto provides 2 million jobs – equal to about 11% of Canada’s labour force
York Region has an average of 13,000 new jobs every year, and over the last five years, our workforce has grown at 3.1% on average, surpassing growth rates in the nation, province and GTA
In the southern part of York Region, Markham and Vaughan are two of the GTA’s four employment “Megazones” and together with Pearson airport these zones have more jobs than Downtown Toronto
Toronto residents make over 189,700 trips per work day to York Region, and even more trips are southbound, supplying employees and customers to help Toronto’s businesses thrive
TTC’s Line 1 is currently over capacity during peak hours. There are capacity improvements required that will help with this, like the Line 1 extension to Vaughan [opened in 2017], TTC’s automatic train controls, new signals, six-car trains, and Go Expansion/SmartTrack. Large infrastructure projects like the Yonge Subway Extension can take 10 years to complete, so the YSE can be built in parallel with the capacity improvements in the next 10 years.
Building the YSE will help reduce traffic congestion – eliminating the almost 2,500 bus trips per workday on Yonge Street between Highway 7 and Finch Station, and giving commuters who drive between Toronto and York Region the chance to get out of traffic.
So which projects should be built first, and which should wait? We need as much transit as possible, so let’s consider all options, and try our very best to get the GTHA moving. Because it can’t wait.
If you haven’t taken transit for a while, or are new to York Region, you may need to know a bit more about our system, and how it works.
A recent article in the Markham Economist and Sun pointed out 10 Helpful facts About York Region Transit, and it reminded us that not everyone knows the basics. We’ll cover some of the facts here, and explain a few things along the way.
history
In 2001, transit in four of York Region’s nine municipalities merged to become York Region Transit [YRT]. This was following through on a vision to have a fast, convenient, seamless transit system across York Region. York Region’s bus rapid transit – Viva – was launched in 2005, with curbside vivastations and distinctive blue buses [pictured above] custom-designed with higher capacity and enhanced comfort. More frequent service, prioritizing traffic signals, and off-board payment all meant improved service.
Viva curbside was just the beginning. In 2010, we at YRRTC began building rapidways – dedicated lanes and stations for Viva buses. As of today, we have 12.2 km of rapidways, and 18 vivastations built and open for service. By the end of this year, we should have 15 more kilometres of rapidways and 13 more stations [each station has two platforms and blue canopies – one for each direction] open for service.
Aside from YRT Local [white buses] and Viva [blue buses], YRT also operates Express routes with fewer stops during rush hours, and On-Demand service in locations and time periods with lower demand, and used by customers who need assistance or who have disabilities.
statistics
Two things stand out in YRT’s stats: many customers travelling, across a huge area. On a typical weekday, YRT serves more than 77,000 customers, and in 2016, there were 22.8 million customers. York Region is 1,762 sq. km, almost three times larger than Toronto, and 24% of the Greater Toronto Area.
To serve such a big area, YRT has a fleet of more than 500 vehicles, operates 128 bus routes and serves more than 5,300 bus stops and vivastations.
fares
While it’s possible to pay using cash either on board a YRT bus, or at a ticket machine at a vivastations, it’s convenient and a little cheaper to use a PRESTO card or the YRT Pay app [free for iOS or android]. Without these, fares are $4, or $4.50 to ride Express, or $1 to ride to GO. Using a PRESTO Card or the YRT pay app, fares are currently $3.75 for adults, $3 for youth, $2.35 for children/seniors, $4.25 to ride Express, and still $1 to ride to GO. When you board a Viva bus you can use either the front or back door and have your proof of payment ready in case YRT staff asks to see it. Fares can change over time, and when you cross borders, so if you haven’t been on YRT in a while or you’re planning to travel to & from Toronto, download YRT’s Fare Guide.
more info
Have more questions? Visit YRT.ca for schedules and maps, and excellent trip-planning tools that will tell you how to get where you’re going. They also have a feedback form and live chat options on their website, or if you need to hear a voice, call 1-866-668-3978.
future transit in York Region
Transit grows along with our vibrant city centres and busy streets. Our projects here at YRRTC include more rapidways opening in the next two years, and two YRT bus terminals – in Vaughan and Markham. Future plans that require funding include building over 75 km of rapidways along other corridors – connecting Yonge Street between Newmarket and Richmond Hill, extending Highway 7 to eastern Markham and western Vaughan, and adding Viva along Jane and Leslie Streets, and Major Mackenzie Drive. There’s more to explore of course. You can learn from YRT about their Service Plans, and learn about rapidway projects on vivanext.com. Happy travels.
This time of year, it’s all about relationships and family. Valentine’s Day has just passed, and now it’s Family Day weekend. Every family is a network, a group with things in common.
In York Region, there is a family of transit services operated by York Region Transit [YRT]: Local, Express, Viva, and On-Demand. Express and Viva sound alike, but while Express shuttles rush-hour customers to connection points with few stops in-between, Viva provides frequent service along some of our busiest roads, in dedicated bus lanes where possible.
Families are built and maintained with relationships, and yes, we can compare that to transit too. It’s the relationships between York Region Rapid Transit Corporation [YRRTC] and other organizations that move our projects forward.
York Region owns YRRTC [our shareholder], and we report to a Board of Directors made up of municipal Mayors and Regional Councillors.
Our projects are funded by all levels of government, sometimes private organizations and even other projects. The Province funded 100% of our rapidway projects through Metrolinx. Our maintenance facility in Richmond Hill and the Cornell Bus Terminal are funded by Federal, Provincial, and Regional government. SmartCentres Place Bus Terminal is funded by the Province, York Region, some funds from the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project [TYSSE], and you guessed it – SmartCentres.
Aside from funding, some of the most valuable relationships we have are the ones we build as we construct our projects. We work closely with contractors and utility companies to ensure each project moves forward, with as little disruptions as possible to the community. Our Community Liaison team works directly with local residents and businesses affected by our construction. We know it’s important to keep everyone aware of what’s happening, and who to email or call if you have a question.
Our family is working to grow York Region’s rapid transit network, so if you’re out this Family Day weekend, be sure to explore the places transit can take you – from tobogganing to ice skating or just checking out some of the local businesses. From our family to yours, we wish you the best of this long weekend.
