Author: vivaNext

Categories
General

why do we need retaining walls?

As you know, crews have been working hard on Davis Drive in Newmarket doing preliminary preparations and constructing a number of retaining walls.  With 16 already done and 1 remaining retaining wall construction is almost completed. Here’s why we need to build all these retaining walls.

If you’re at all familiar with Davis Drive in Newmarket, you’ll know how hilly the surrounding area is –the road itself is a series of hills, and many of the properties on both sides are either above or below the level of the road.

In general, retaining walls are used when one stretch of ground is at a different height than a neighbouring stretch of ground, and the slope between them is too steep to be stable on its own.  A retaining wall is used to hold the slope in place, and support the higher level of ground. Grade differences can be managed without retaining walls when the difference is slight, or where there’s enough space to make the slope very gradual. But because we’re widening Davis Drive, we’re reducing the space left over at the sides of the road, resulting in more pronounced grade differences between the road and some of the neighbouring properties and that’s why more retaining walls are needed.

The new walls will be built at the back of the boulevard where it meets private property, and where the grade at the back of the boulevard is different from the neighbouring grade.  Where the neighbouring property is higher, the retaining wall will extend upwards from the boulevard; where the neighbouring property is lower, the wall will extend down from the boulevard to the property behind.

The safety and design criteria for these walls are specific about what type of wall material is used for certain heights.  For walls that are less than 1.2 metres high, we are using pre-cast blocks that lock together like building blocks, set on a gravel base.  For taller walls, we’ll be using concrete that is poured in place, using special forms that mold the concrete and provide an architectural design.  To ensure safety, we’ll be adding an attractive aluminum handrail on the top of the retaining walls where it’s required.

These retaining walls will add to the more urbanized, stylish appearance of the future Davis Drive, and will help set the stage for the transformation that’s coming to this part of Newmarket.

Categories
General

staying safe as it gets darker out there

With today being  Halloween, the leaves are falling, the days are getting shorter, and the light levels are much lower, especially once Daylight Savings time ends on Sunday November 3.  There are lots of things we love about this time of year, but the darker mornings and afternoons take a little getting used to.

No matter what time of year, keeping yourself safe, whether you’re a transit user, pedestrian, cyclist or driver is a shared responsibility and we all need to be looking out for each other.   That becomes even more important now that we’re getting into the darker, cold days of winter.

Here are some reminders to make everyone’s travels safer along our rapidway and construction sites:

Pedestrians and transit users should:

  • Always walk on sidewalks.  From time to time sidewalks need to be closed for construction, and signs will direct you to the other side of the road.  It is incredibly dangerous to walk on the road in live traffic.  Please take the small amount of extra time needed to cross to a sidewalk.
  • Only cross at crosswalks and intersections. If you’re crossing Highway 7 remember the walk signal won’t come on automatically; you need to push the button first.
  • Obey traffic signals and wait for the walk light to shine.  At two-stage crossings wait in the protected median for the next stage.
  • Bear in mind that you’re probably not as visible to drivers as vehicles are to you, especially in winter if you’re bundled up in layers of dark clothing.
  • On busy roads, especially those with multiple lanes like Highway 7, remember that drivers are focused on their signals, including advanced green arrows for drivers turning left.   Pedestrians need to take their own safety very seriously.
  • Obey construction signage.  We cannot emphasize strongly enough: construction zones are dangerous places for pedestrians, even if there’s no active construction activity underway at the time.  There are many hazards, and fences are there to keep people safe.  Please obey them.

Drivers need to:

  • Watch road markings carefully, especially through construction zones.  With paving going on until the weather gets very cold and other construction continuing all winter, crews will be actively working.  Please be on the lookout for lane changes and temporary closures, which can change from day to day and hour to hour, especially around stations.
  • Pay attention to the new rapidway alignment and turning lines.  It’s becoming more familiar to drivers, but some drivers are still learning about the new turning markings for safe left turns and u-turns at intersections.
  • Be extra careful when making right turns to watch for cyclists and pedestrians – remember they have the right of way across intersections and driveways.
  • Approach crosswalks at stations carefully.  Pedestrians have a responsibility to be aware and obey the signals, but drivers need to be careful too, especially near schools.

Cyclists should:

  • Use the dedicated bike lanes where they’re in place; bikes cannot use the sidewalks.
  • Obey traffic signals.
  • Watch for pedestrians and remember they have the right-of-way if you’re turning right at a driveway or intersection.
  • Use the dedicated bike boxes where they’ve been installed for left hand turns, rather than making left turns from the traffic lanes.
Categories
General

chickens and eggs

Does great planning start with transit?  Or does transit start with great planning?  I was prompted to think about this the other day after reading an interesting newspaper article, “Why we’re better off living in hyperdense cities built around mass transit”.

The point of the article is that in many ways, we’re better off living in high density cities, as long as they have great transit so that people can live without cars. In particular, this article says the most productive and prosperous cities are those that are planned to have enough density to support a subway system.

Now it’s hard to imagine a time when everyone in York Region would choose to live without a car.  Many of the people in this region have chosen to live here expressly because they love having more room around them, and to have the countryside so nearby.  Cars will always be useful and practical in that kind of setting.

But there are many people – including an increasing number of young people – who like the idea of living and working in a walkable community, where they don’t need to have a car to carry out their daily routines.

The point of good planning is to ensure our communities provide appealing and functional options for both kinds of people.  It ensures that people who want to live in spacious suburban communities have that option without facing gridlock every time they get in their car, while meeting the aspirations of people who want to live in dynamic, urban settings with adjacent, convenient rapid transit.

Planning to make these options possible requires a long-term vision, and a commitment to invest in the infrastructure needed in the future, long before growth happens.  It also requires great transit.  But building a rapid transit system before the density is in place can only be done if there’s a strategic plan that directs densities to transit corridors, so that it all works together.  Rapid transit systems, including BRT like we’re building in York Region, require high volumes of riders to be sustainable.

Which brings me to my original question: what comes first, planning or transit?  The reality in York Region is that they’re intricately linked and interdependent.  Our planners identified many years ago that the future York Region would be bigger and more crowded, and would require more options to house people.  They also identified that those options would only be built and appeal to people if there was great transit nearby.

So the moral of the story is planning and transit need each other, and one can’t happen without the other.  Fortunately, we have both here in York Region – which means we will be able to offer more options for people, no matter what kind of community they want to live in.

Categories
General

social media – keeping us connected

Whether we like to admit it or not, social media is a major part of, and influencer in, our lives. From our homes, phones, businesses and schools, we simply can’t escape the power of this communication vehicle.

Social media is all about promoting participation, contributing and providing feedback within communities and social groups which form quickly and communicate effectively, making them excellent for both personal and business needs. Most kinds of social media flourish on their connectedness, making use of links to popular and useful websites, resources, groups, organisations and people.

Through social media you can find vast information, inspiration, like-minded people, varied communities and collaborators faster than ever before. You can get new ideas, products, services, business models and technologies emerging and evolving at record speeds.

Social media is like the glue that holds the online world together.  Here at vivaNext, we’ve seen a gradual increase in the number of people looking for information using the various on-line tools.  The great part about it is that it allows for instant communications and easy access to all our project news and updates.  It allows us to have an engaged conversation in “real-time” and keep the project information fresh with images and videos.

We really enjoy hearing from you, whether it’s to answer a question, or hear your thoughts and comments, so send us an email.  We have a great group of community liaisons who are available to answer your questions, and we’re happy to respond to comments posted on this blog.  We also encourage you to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out some really great images from our different projects on Instagram, and Pinterest.

So please, check us out on our various social media channels and let’s keep in touch!

 

Categories
General Rapidways

hard truths about transit

Transit is a top story in the news these days, in Toronto, across the GTHA, in fact all across the country.  And with good reason: the links between the availability of well-planned transit and our ability to sustain our quality of life are well documented.   But the discussion about transit is still confusing for many people, with so many different positions being put forward on how transit should be planned, the merits of different forms of transit, and how to pay for it all.   Meanwhile, gridlock across the GTHA is getting worse.  To ensure we don’t fall farther behind, important decisions have to be made soon about the future transit network in the GTHA.

Fortunately, a significant amount of new transit is already being built across the GTHA including our vivaNext BRT routes and the extension of the Spadina subway up to Highway 7.  But there are a large number of important transit projects, including parts of the vivaNext system such as the extension of the Yonge Subway, which remain unfunded.  Building a connected network across the GTHA, and completing the vivaNext parts of the system in York Region, needs to be a top priority for us all.

To help bring some clarity to the discussion, a newly-established advisory panel in Ontario has been set up to look at the future of transit in the GTHA.  The panel’s mandate is to help Ontario make the right decisions about what transit projects get funded in the GTHA, and how to pay for them.

Getting input from the community is a priority for the panel, and they will be providing a series of discussion papers to help people become better informed.  These papers will be well worth reading for anyone who has an interest in the future of transit across the GTHA.

Here’s a link to the new advisory panel’s site, www.transitpanel.ca which includes the first of several discussion papers.  Over the next few weeks, the panel is also going to be collecting input from the public, business and key stakeholders.  There are a number of ways that you can provide input to the panel.  You can mail, email, and provide input online or by attending one of the public meetings.  Four meetings will be held across the GTHA, including one in Vaughan.

The more people who participate in this discussion, the better: it affects us all, whether we live in suburban areas or downtown, and whether we’re transit users or drivers.  The decisions that need to be made soon about what transit will be built, and how it will be paid for, will shape the quality of life across the GTHA for generations.

VivaNext is proud of what we’re building in York Region, but ultimately the strength of our system depends on being part of a great regional network.  So please check out the panel’s website, read their papers, and have your say.

 

Categories
Construction General

working together….

If you get vivaNext email updates, you probably recently read that Yorkie and Torkie the tunnel boring machines are munching their way closer and closer to Highway 7 and the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC).

This is great news, and means that the reality of a subway coming to York Region is getting closer every day.  But while the tunneling project is very high profile, vivaNext is also working hard to get ready for the subway opening at our VMC station.   Unlike other vivastations which we are building independently, the VMC station construction needs to be closely coordinated with the subway project, adding a whole new level of complexity.  Here’s a little background:

The VMC station will be located at Millway Avenue and Highway 7, as part of the VMC development area.  To provide passengers with seamless connections between the subway and the viva\YRT system, the subway station will be located on the lower level, with a concourse linking the subway to the vivastation above.

That may all sound relatively straightforward, but in fact there are significant engineering challenges involved with constructing a complicated building in the middle of a live highway, especially  when there’s a separate construction project going on directly underneath.  One of our top priorities is to ensure while we’re building the station to our own design plans, it also ties in to all the complex TTC systems down below so that everything works properly and in sync.

Some key elements such as escalators, elevators and stairways link the two structures. These need to be in place so the TTC can access the upstairs while they’re building their subway station down below. Escalators and elevator shafts aren’t very forgiving, so we need to work closely together to make sure all the elements line up perfectly.

Another challenge is that there’s not a lot of space to work given the location of the station in the middle of Highway 7.  From time to time we’re literally going to be working right on top of each other.  So we will be doing a lot of coordinating throughout the process to make sure all our contractors and subcontractors have enough room to do their jobs safely and in parallel.

The main priority for vivaNext and the TTC is that both parts of the VMC station are open when the subway service begins.  There’s a huge amount of work to be done between now and then, and we’ll be working closely with our TTC partners during the course of construction.

So stay tuned, and soon I’ll be giving you a proper tour of the VMC station design.  It’s going to be a showpiece that will be worth all the hard work.

 

Categories
Construction General Urban Planning

what is a culvert anyway?

 

I’m guessing that you probably weren’t thinking about culverts as you sipped your coffee on your commute through the construction this morning — probably not even if you passed right by one. But let me just take a moment to tell you why culverts are important – besides the obvious.

First of all, what is a culvert anyway? Well, I’m sure you’ve seen one by the side of the road, underneath a driveway, around creeks and rivers. A culvert is a tunnel or pipe of varying size, shape and material used to allow water  to move easily from one side of an obstruction (like a road or railway) to the other side.

A culvert has three main functions: to allow for stream crossing; to manage and direct water runoff; and to allow natural wildlife crossing. The first two are pretty self-explanatory, but where it gets interesting is the wildlife crossing.

Since culverts affect both animals and the environment, the Ministries of the Environment, Natural Resources and Transportation have set out specific standards for culverts. Those standards note that they must be constructed in such a way to allow any wildlife travelling through them to see light at the other side. And culverts must include material that mimic the natural landscape of the wildlife passing through it to encourage them to use the culvert for migration.

The typical lifespan of a culvert is somewhere between 10-20 years, depending on a number of factors. When water flows through a culvert frequently, as it does at eastern and western creeks in Newmarket, the culvert will naturally succumb to some erosion. With our plans to widen Davis Drive for the rapidway, we are extending the western creek culvert and removing and replacing the eastern creek culvert that was well beyond its lifespan.

It’s just one more component of an overall transformation towards vibrant urban centres, connected by a rapid transit network to help people get around.

 

Categories
General Live-work-play

a trend away from cars

A recent article in the New York Times described a curious trend that’s showing up in countries as varied as Germany, Norway, Canada and Japan – a trend that shows fewer young people are driving cars compared to their parents.

The findings show that Millennials – people currently in their twenties – are less likely to get their driver’s licence now than in previous generations. Young people are more likely to take transit or cycle, and overall, the number of car trips taken on a per capita basis has been declining for the last several years.  In the US, people in their twenties drive about 20% less than their parents did when they were in their twenties.

There are quite a number of studies that together confirm this trend, although there’s no agreement on what is causing it. Increasing gas prices and weak economic climates in some countries may have contributed to this trend, researchers feel that other longer-term dynamics are the real reason young people are increasingly turning away from the car and finding other ways to get around.

One key theory is that increasing urbanization is a critical factor. In this theory, when people live within walking distance (defined as roughly 500 metres) from transit, it’s easier to leave the keys at home and let transit do the driving.

Whatever the reason, other recent studies carried out show that while baby boomers are ageing beyond the years when they drive the most miles, Millennials aren’t picking up the slack.  The result is that total miles driven is steadily decreasing, and is projected to continue to do so over time.

This change is bound to require a shift in long-term transportation policies developed by governments, including an increased investment in transit.

York Region residents do a lot of driving covering a large geographic area, and even with the launch of vivaNext along its major corridors, there’s no doubt this pattern isn’t going to change overnight.  But as it does, we’re going to be in good shape, thanks to our vivaNext plans for region-wide rapid transit giving residents more options.  We are already seeing the trend here with transit ridership increasing every year.

 

Categories
Construction Live-work-play Rapidways

vivaNext – more to come

When it comes to the future of transit in York Region, you don’t have to look far. The first rapidway along Highway 7 east corridor is now up and running smoothly. With it came wide pedestrian-friendly boulevards, lined with trees and other greenery. The transformation taking place along the Viva routes will change how pedestrians, cyclists and motorists not only view the area in general, but get from A to B more easily, more safely and more efficiently.  Check out this 3600 virtual tour for a peak.

This is just the beginning of many miles of rapidway that are under construction or coming soon.  Here is an update of what’s happening.

Construction on Highway 7 East continues and crews are working hard from Highway 404 to Warden Avenue to widen the road, build pedestrian boulevards, plant trees and shrubs as well as installing utilities. This next segment of rapidway is expected to be completed in 2014.

Moving along Highway 7 west to Vaughan, you will see the vivaNext rapidway construction starting to take shape between Edgeley Boulevard and Bowes Road.  Over the last few months, crews have been working to remove signs, test soil and begin utility relocation to prepare for heavier construction.  Throughout the fall and winter, hydro, gas and telecommunications installations and relocations will continue in Vaughan.

Preliminary construction activity will also continue in other parts of Vaughan as vivaNext rapidway construction continues along Highway 7 West.   The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre [VMC] station will be completed in time with the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension [TYSSE].  Vaughan’s VMC station will be the northernmost subway station, connecting to Viva and a variety of other transit services, for a convenient and seamless experience.

In Newmarket, as you drive or walk along Davis Drive, you’ll see that construction is in full swing and the transformation is starting to take shape. The relocation and replacement of underground infrastructure in some segments on the south side of Davis Drive is complete. In those sections, road widening and preliminary paving has started preparing the roadway for future rapidways.

Also in Newmarket, crews are working to re-locate the Historic Union Hotel and its adjoining building to their final foundations this fall. Extensive culvert work at eastern and western creek is underway.  Work continues on the north side of the Keith Bridge.  Once completed all this work will help make your travel along Davis Drive smoother and more efficient, especially if you are on transit!

Over the next few years, future rapidways will be added to the Viva routes to better service customers and make travel times shorter by up to 25%.  We know construction is messy, but the end results are marvelous!

Categories
Community Events

win with vivaNext at the Newmarket Farmers’ Market

Join vivaNext this Saturday, October 5 at the Newmarket Farmers’ Market. Stop by the vivaNext booth and say hello! While you’re visiting, complete a ballot for a chance to win one of five vouchers from a Davis Drive business of your choice. Click here for contest rules and regulations.

Harvest season has arrived and there’s no better time to reap the benefits of fresh produce while having fun at your local farmers’ market. There’s lots to see and do! The market has top-quality farm-fresh products, home-made baking and handmade crafts. This Saturday, attendees will enjoy the musical stylings of country & western band, the Dustaleros.

Treat your senses — experience the colors, smells and tastes of the Newmarket Farmers’ Market. The vivaNext team looks forward to seeing you there.