Categories
Construction Stations

May snow fall and cold winds blow…

Although the forecast is for a cold winter this year, our vivaNext Highway 7 construction schedule calls for us to keep going at full-speed, even while it’s snowy out there. Here’s an overview of what we’re going to be working on this winter along Highway 7, and how we’ll manage to keep going when the temperatures drop.

There’s no doubt that some work – like paving – is best done when it’s warm. So the first rule of project management is to plan the work schedule many months in advance, so work can progress without interruption through all seasons. That means we do the work that has to be done when it’s warmer – such as paving or landscaping – when it’s warm, and use the winter for tasks that can be done at any time of the year.

This winter, our focus will be on continuing with the stations along Highway 7 and on the towers connecting Bayview to Highway 7, leaving the road work and landscaping for next spring.

At the Bayview towers our goal is to enclose the south tower before Christmas, including getting the roof on and the glass installed. Once the space is enclosed but not heated, we’ll do some interior work including elevators and electrical work. And when the towers have permanent power, we can warm up the interior using temporary industrial space heaters. Then we’ll start to install tiling and hand railings, both of which use grout which requires warmer temperatures.

For the stations along Highway 7, working in the winter requires some additional measures which allow us to keep going. One design advantage we have is that our station platform foundations are built with concrete piers sunk into the ground, rather than a compacted granular base which would be a challenge in the winter. We’ll be able to dig the holes for the piers throughout the winter by heating the subsurface before pouring concrete. After the pour, the concrete is covered with insulated blankets and heated with diesel-fired “frost-fighter” heaters. These heaters – about five times as powerful as a typical home furnace – provide enough heat to help concrete cure, even when it’s cold. And when we know it’s going to snow, the entire platform is covered with tarps to keep the snow off our work site.

So with a lot of advance planning, we’ll be able to continue pouring the foundations and platforms throughout the winter. Come next spring we can get back to the road work and landscaping, with our goal unchanged of having the first section of the Highway 7 rapidway operational in 2013.

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Categories
Community Events

Bring on the jolly season!

It’s the time of year when everyone’s thoughts turn to the joy of the season and nothing kicks off the holiday season better than a parade.

Over the next few weeks you’ll have plenty of opportunity to attend one of York Region’s many Santa Claus parades, and if you do, watch out for vivaNext and YRT\Viva, as we spread winter cheer.

YRT\Viva work together to seamlessly connect, not only all the municipalities in York Region, but also to provide easy access to other transit systems operating in neighbouring regions — including Toronto, Durham and Peel.

VivaNext, York Region’s plan for the next generation of viva rapid transit service, will truly put the rapid into transit and make it even faster and easier for you to travel around and outside of York Region.

Whichever Santa Claus parade you go to, look for YRT\Viva and vivaNext staff wishing you happy holidays while proudly walking and waving alongside a beautifully decorated viva bus — it’ll be hard to miss!

Categories
Announcements

Future growth is now

Future growth is now

We know that growth is inevitable in York Region, and that our Region’s share of the total growth expected across the GTA will put our population at 1.5 million by 2031. We keep an eye on the numbers, because helping to shape and manage future growth is exactly why we’re building our vivaNext rapid transit projects.

The 2011 Census data is just becoming available, and it gives an interesting snapshot of our Region’s growth, confirming that we’re right to be building a leading-edge bus rapid transit system, right now. Here are some interesting facts about the current population trends in York Region, which show that the predicted future growth is happening now, and is likely to continue.

As of December 31, 2011, our total population was 1,085,600 – making York Region the sixth largest region or city in the country. And York Region continues to attract people from all over, inside Canada as well as abroad. In the last five years, our population has grown by an average of 27,200 each year – that’s like adding the entire population of East Gwillimbury (plus a few thousand extra) each and every year!

It’s not only people moving to York Region – employers are adding jobs, too. Our track record at attracting new jobs continues to be very strong, with the Region’s employment growth having on average, exceeded its population growth over the last 35 years. With 15,000 new jobs added last year – compared to 9,000 in 2009-2010 – our economy is in good shape. Employers want to locate here, and we want to make sure it’s easy for their employees to get to work, whether they live in or out of the Region.

It’s no surprise that people and employers are attracted to York Region. We have a highly educated and trained workforce, an interesting mix of culture and scenery, great work opportunities – and soon, rapid transit!

If you’re new to York Region, or have started to work here, I’d love to hear what attracted you.

 

Categories
Construction

Changing seasons, shifting lanes

photo: Keith Bridge now - Keith Bridge next

Even if you live in Newmarket, you may not know exactly where the Keith Bridge is. It’s on Davis Drive, just east of the Tannery and the Seniors’ Meeting Place. Pedestrians probably notice when they walk over it, but drivers would barely notice that they’re driving over a bridge. It spans the Holland River, and is named after William Keith [1869-1949], a Newmarket Reeve, an MPP and a Senior Magistrate in the early 1900s.

In 2011, we built a new section of bridge on the south side of Davis Drive, and now we’re about to start rebuilding the north side of the bridge. To allow us to work on the north side, we need to shift traffic to drive on the new south section of bridge.

As eastbound traffic approaches the bridge, the lanes will start to shift starting near the railway tracks. Just west of Bayview Parkway, westbound traffic will be reduced from two lanes to one, and will begin to shift to the south.

This work will last about a year, and will involve all kinds of work, including relocating utilities and bus stops, installing temporary traffic signals, and paving lanes and a temporary sidewalk on the new bridge section. The Tom Taylor Trail has been detoured since construction began on the Keith Bridge, and this detour will continue for most of the construction.

Construction, especially bridge construction, isn’t easy, but it helps if you know what will be happening, and when. If you sign up for construction updates we’ll make sure you know about upcoming work on Davis Drive. You can also visit vivanext.com for detailed project information, and follow us on Twitter. Michelle Dudzik, our Community Liaison, is available to talk about Davis Drive construction and answer any questions you may have: 905.716.7663, michelle.dudzik@york.ca.

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Categories
Uncategorized

Good news – we’re paving!

Paving

 

Even with the most careful planning, road construction can be messy and disruptive…but the surest sign that the heavy construction phase is nearing an end is when the excavation and grading equipment is replaced by paving crews. The vivaNext project is no different, and we’re happy to confirm that paving is now underway on the west sections of the Highway 7 rapidway project.

Because asphalt can’t take heavy traffic (trucks and buses) for some time after it’s installed, we need to close the lanes that have been newly paved until it has completely set. To minimize the impact, we’re paving a block or so at a time. We’re spreading out the time to pave, over about two months, completing one major intersection per weekend when traffic is lightest.

Once the paving is done, there’s still quite a bit of detailed work to do before the west section of the Highway 7 rapidway will be ready for operations, including planting and landscaping work next spring. Then in the middle of next year, we’ll begin the process of carefully testing the transit signals and other equipment on this section.

But once the paving is finished, the biggest disruption of construction will soon be coming to an end. We appreciate your patience throughout this project, and we’ll make sure you know exactly where and when any lane closures are going to take place, to help you minimize any inconvenience. Look for our emails giving you the latest updates on where we’ll be working, and how long our work will take. Click here to sign up for construction updates, and for complete information about the Highway 7 paving work, click here.

Categories
Uncategorized

Rapid transit is on the way for Vaughan

 

It’s an exciting time for Vaughan as construction of the next segment of the vivaNext rapid transit network moves forward. Our system of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) rapidways on Highway 7, Yonge Street, and Davis Drive are each at different construction stages, and Highway 7 West in Vaughan is the next one to get underway.

The contract has been awarded for the construction work on the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) section of Highway 7 West, between Interchange Way/Edgeley Boulevard and Bowes Road. The VMC area will be a busy place in the next few years, with two major transit projects on the go and significant urban development.

The TTC is already working on Highway 7 west of Jane to build a new subway station for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension (TYSSE). The vivaNext rapidway will connect from the VMC vivastation to the subway station and an inter-regional bus terminal – all within walking distance. This connection will make the VMC an important hub for transit in southern Ontario.

Transit projects attract new residents and businesses, and fast, convenient transit helps shape this growth. Rapidway construction will include wider sidewalks, attractive landscaping and great lighting, resulting in new places to go, and appealing surroundings along the way.

Now that the contract has been awarded, we’re putting together construction schedules and planning the utility work that needs to be done beforehand. Sign up for updates to be the first to hear about construction schedules, and to receive ongoing construction alerts.

For more information check out the news release.

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Categories
General

vivaNext puts safety first

vivaNext puts safety first

When there’s something on the other side of the street you need to get to, the nearest intersection just might not seem close enough. It can be tempting to cross (or jaywalk) in the middle of the road. The problem with jaywalking is that it poses a huge risk to you as a pedestrian. Drivers aren’t expecting pedestrians in non-pedestrian areas like a travel lane and may do something unexpected or not brake in time for you to make your trek safely across the road.

During construction, crossing at designated crosswalks is even more important than ever. Lane closures can change frequently and when areas are blocked off, drivers must pay close attention to signs and road markings so they know where to drive and stop. Drivers might easily miss a pedestrian who is crossing or running into a non-pedestrian safe zone.

Even when crossing at a designated crosswalk, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Be sure to look both ways and stay aware. Put away your phone, MP3 player, or tablet, and focus on the road. You should be constantly alert, just like the drivers.

Other safety concerns as a pedestrian are the construction zones themselves. There are a lot of hazards around a construction site that you wouldn’t necessarily know about. We block off work areas and create detours to protect drivers and pedestrians, so it’s important that you respect those boundaries for your own safety.

You’ll be able to enjoy all that the vivaNext transformation has to offer once it’s complete.[poll id=”34″]

Categories
General

Growing up: students and rapid transit

growing up: students and rapid transit

It’s that time of year again – students are back to school next week and parents can’t believe how much their kids have grown. It probably seems like just yesterday that they were taking their first steps. If you’re an older student, maybe you’re taking a big step yourself – starting high school or college.

We understand the feeling, because it wasn’t long ago that we were planning the vivaNext rapidways, and now they’re starting to take shape. Highway 7, between Bayview and Warden, is the ‘eager beaver’ of the class. Since 2010 on Highway 7, construction crews have removed medians, relocated utilities and widened the road to allow for dedicated transit lanes. New vivastations are well underway, with nine in various stages of completion and 13 more to come in the next 18 months. Once construction is complete, the rapidway lanes and stations will be tested, drivers will be trained, and the centre lanes of Highway 7 will become a full-fledged segment of rapidway.

This September, students will get to school by bus, car, bike and on foot. Many students ride transit to and from school, and soon, Unionville High School and Seneca’s Markham Campus will have a Highway 7 rapidway outside their doors. In Newmarket, the Davis Drive rapidway will bring rapid transit to the students of Huron Heights Secondary School, and future rapidways along Yonge Street will pass near Sir William Mulock, Richmond Hill, and Langstaff secondary schools. Langstaff and Thornhill secondary schools will each be within walking distance of the planned extension to Yonge Subway, and thanks to the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, students of Seneca, York and Schulich will be able to take the subway to York University’s Keele Campus in 2016.

York Region’s transit network is designed to help shape how and where our population grows, helping to transform our towns and cities into attractive, accessible urban areas. This includes new residents to our region, and also long-time residents like students, moving from one stage of life to another. This year’s batch of college freshmen will have rapid transit waiting to take them to their first jobs when they graduate. Grade 9 students will be able to head to college via subway, and kindergarten students will have a world of choices. It’ll all happen before we know it…[poll id=”33″]

Categories
Urban Planning

Designing a complete street for everyone

the Complete Street

VivaNext is of course a project to bring rapid transit to York Region. But our goals are much broader than simply expanding transit (as important as that is for us): our long-term vision is to help York Region, as it grows, to transform beautifully from its suburban past, into its urbanized future.

When I think about the most livable cities of the world, including here in North America as well as in Europe, one feature that makes them distinctive is the way major streets are designed for everyone, and not just for cars.

This approach is captured by the urban design concept known as “the complete street.” That’s the long-standing philosophy behind European urban design, but it is also becoming very influential in North American urban design. The complete street reflects a belief that streets should anticipate and accommodate the needs of all users – pedestrians, transportation users, cyclists and drivers. It means that streetscapes should be designed to provide a welcoming, functional and safe environment for everyone, no matter how they want to get from A to B.

The complete street concept is consistent with York Region’s vision for its urbanized future, especially along its major corridors and emerging urban centres. So the vivaNext streetscape design principles reflect similar values and priorities.

As our work progresses along the Highway 7 rapidway, it’s becoming easier to see how these design principles are going to transform the look and function of the street and its boulevards, for all users.

To begin with, our streetscape design emphasizes the importance of having an attractive public realm, to encourage people to want to spend time in these newly developed public spaces. By offering wide boulevards, with their attractive paving, good lighting, shade trees, amenities such as comfortable benches and generously planted landscaped areas, pedestrians will know that they are truly welcome.

With York Region’s predicted growth, there will be many more people living, working and commuting all along our major corridors, meaning many more pedestrians will be using the sidewalks and intersections. So our streetscape is designed to make everyone truly feel safe and comfortable – after all, Highway 7 and York Region’s other major corridors will continue to be very busy thoroughfares for other vehicles, even once our rapid transit system is up and running. Pedestrians will feel buffered from adjacent traffic by the wide planters placed between the sidewalk and curb. They will have protected places to wait at intersections, and in the median where there are two-stage crossings. All sidewalks and vivastations will be completely accessible. And cyclists will have safe places to ride, and convenient racks to lock up their bikes.

By creating a complete street, our new streetscapes will be walkable, accessible and welcoming for all, no matter how you prefer to get around York Region.

Categories
Fun & Games General Live-work-play Rapidways Uncategorized Urban Planning

VivaNext has Olympic spirit!

vivaNext Olympics

The summer Olympics bring together the best and brightest of athletes around the world in a variety of summer sports, ready to compete. As we cheer on Team Canada in the vivaNext office, we notice some similarities between the dedication that each athlete has to his/her sport and the dedication that we have to our new vivaNext rapid transit system.

Athletes, whether participating in summer or winter Olympics, are forced to endure the elements when it comes to practice. Whether braving through cold to ski or melting in the heat practicing beach volleyball, these athletes continue to give it their all. Likewise, vivaNext has to work with the elements as we go through construction. In the summer months, it’s important that our construction workers stay cool under the hot sun. On days when it rains, construction can be at a stand-still, forcing us to work even harder the next day.

Just like any athlete, we have a team of coaches and supporting staff that are making the vivaNext vision a reality. From the engineering to communications teams to onsite supervisors, our success is a group effort. Although only the athlete may receive a medal, it is often a team effort, with coaches included, to help them reach the podium. Similarly, it is a team effort to ensure that the vivaNext transformation is a success.

And of course, there is something to be said for the speed at which athletes that cycle, row, or run track travel. They are constantly looking to move faster and improve their travel times. Our rapidways will help reduce congestion and provide a reliable rapid transit network along our corridors as well. We’ll reduce travel time by up to 40%, and make reaching your destination easier and more efficient.

At the vivaNext office, we are supporting Canadian athletes through our own office Olympics. Departments are virtually going head-to-head to earn medals for different sports. How are you supporting Team Canada? Is there an athlete that you’re rooting for? Let us know by commenting below!

If you’re interested in learning more about the vivaNext projects, visit us at www.vivanext.com. You can also sign up to receive e-mail construction updates here.