Tag: Rapidway

Categories
Community Events Going Green Rapidways

vivaNext celebrates Earth Day 2013

On Monday, April 22, over 1 billion people in 192 countries around the world took action in their communities to tackle environmental challenges and vivaNext staffers were among them. We celebrated the 43rd annual Earth Day by sporting viva blue and going out to the future site of the Leslie Street and Highway 7 vivastation where we planted an Ohio Buckeye tree, the first of many trees and shrubs to be planted along the rapidway corridors being constructed in York Region.

But that was just the beginning, among the environmental benefits of the vivaNext project will be the improvements to the streetscape along York Region’s key corridors. A key part of those improvements will be carefully planned landscaping, including street trees planted at regular intervals for beauty and shade.

We’ve also used a little science and technology to ensure these trees survive in such a tough urban environment. Large trees need a lot of soil around their roots. In a boulevard, there’s only so much room for soil, so trees generally don’t have the underground space they need to grow strong roots and take in nutrients. On Highway 7, vivaNext is using an ingenious solution called “soil cell technology.” This refers to the cutting-edge approach of constructing a rigid form underground that can be filled with soil and then covered up by sidewalks or even roads. Plantings along the new viva rapidways will include a variety of trees, shrubs and grasses to create the green environment we all appreciate.

We certainly feel a strong connection with the values of Earth Day here at vivaNext; our rapid transit service is a key part of achieving smart growth goals and creating better connected, more livable communities in York Region. On Earth Day, and every day, we work hard to design and build a rapid transit service that offers a green travel alternative, makes it easier for you to get around, and helps to shape growth in an environmentally friendly way.

Check out our video and tell us if you participated in any Earth Day activities or submit your own video!

Categories
General Urban Planning

The power of development

What’s the significance of a pole? In the past few years some of York Region’s towns and cities have been talking about whether or not to bury hydro lines. We’re designing and building rapidways in key urban areas, so naturally the topic of hydro poles and lines comes up when we bring forward new pedestrian-friendly, attractive streetscapes.

Understandably, most people would like hydro lines to be buried, rather than hung from hydro poles. Burying hydro lines is a major project though, and so deserves careful consideration. The cost of relocating lines underground all at once can be up to 10 times the cost of keeping them above ground. That’s not to say that it isn’t worth the money, but it is a big investment.

We support municipalities in their efforts to bury hydro lines, and we also understand why it can’t always be done all at once. Most urban planners agree that hydro poles can be buried over time as a natural result of development and growth, and this is how it could happen:

  • We build rapid transit in key growth areas, attracting people to the added convenience and pedestrian-friendly environment.
  • Where there are people moving in, there will likely be development.
  • When developers build new buildings, hydro lines are often buried as part of the project, either by their own choice or by local zoning regulations.

Regardless of whether hydro poles are buried or not, we’re designing modern streetscapes along the viva corridors. Where hydro poles are being replaced as part of our rapidway projects, we make poles as attractive as possible using special finishes and features. In some cases we use poles that don’t need guy wires, and higher poles to minimize the appearance of the wires. Wherever possible, we bury telecommunications and fibre lines, reducing the number of wires on new hydro poles.

Urban planning is full of important decisions, and the rapidway designs include innovative ideas, while building great neighbourhoods for future generations.

Categories
Community Events General

Come visit us at the spring home shows!

Despite the last futile attempts of winter to hang on, spring has sprung — buds are popping up on the trees and birds are chirping in celebration — change is everywhere. With spring, thoughts often turn towards home projects or renovations. If you’re dreaming of a fresh look to any part of your home then there’s no better place for you to go than one of your local home shows where anything and everything you’ll need is in one place.

The warmer weather also brings with it a busier construction schedule on the Regions roads. If you’re at the Newmarket Home and Lifestyle Show this weekend, the Aurora Home Show next weekend or the Richmond Hill Home & Garden Show the first weekend in May, stop by and visit. We’ll tell you what’s new on our projects in Markham, Newmarket, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. Like renovating your home, the construction projects vivaNext has underway will bring long-term benefits. Our construction projects are bringing change to York Region in the form of rapidways — dedicated lanes for viva vehicles. Rapidways will make it faster and easier to travel in York Region, and will set the stage for great destinations to live, work, shop and play.

The shows are each host to over 150 vendors. Meet with renovation or home decor expert, take part in a workshop or two or enjoy some lively entertainment.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Newmarket Home and Lifestyle Show:

Friday, April 5, 4pm-9pm
Saturday, April 6, 9am-5pm
Sunday, April 7, 10am-5pm
Magna Centre, 800 Mulock Drive, Newmarket

Aurora Home Show:

Friday, April 12, 4pm-9pm
Saturday, April 13, 9am-6pm
Sunday, April 14, 10am-5pm
Aurora Community Centre, 1 Community Centre Lane, Aurora

Richmond Hill Home and Garden Show

Friday, May 3, 5pm-9pm
Saturday, May 4, 9am-6pm
Sunday, May 5, 10am-5pm
Sports Complex, Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill

Categories
Construction Rapidways vivaNext.com

Davis Drive rapidway – construction ramps up

Signs of spring are in the air, for us at vivaNext spring symbolizes a time of year when construction work ramps up. Last year, we completed a number of important construction projects on the way to building the Davis Drive rapidway. This year, we kick off a very busy construction season with significant work starting in April.

Traffic lanes, sidewalks and bus stops will be shifting along Davis Drive, this is required to relocate, install and replace segments of infrastructure for hydro, gas, storm drain, water main, sewer line, phone and cable. These changes are part of the next phase of construction, providing workers sufficient room to start building the rapidway, station platforms and canopies. More details on the lane closures on Davis Drive are available at vivanext.com.

Crews will also be working on culverts on the south side of Eastern Creek (near Southlake Regional Health Centre) and Western Creek this year. The north side of Keith Bridge is scheduled to be complete in 2014.

We know construction can be daunting and we thank you for your patience and understanding. Please drive with care and give yourself extra time to get to your destination safely.

Updates about all of this work will be made available as they happen. If you have questions or concerns please contact your Community Liaison and sign up for construction updates to get the the latest construction information.

The vivaNext plan will help Newmarket continue to shape its growing community making it an even better place to work, shop and play.

Categories
Construction Rapidways

Putting a new face on the old Keith Bridge

If you’ve been driving along Davis Drive recently, you’ve noticed the lane shift onto the new south side of the Keith Bridge, just east of the Tannery and the Seniors’ Meeting Place. In fact, if you’re on Davis Drive regularly you’ve seen the lane shifts for a few months.

Now that we’ve had time to do our preparatory work, we’re ready to start the next phase of bridge work. This week, the north side of Keith Bridge is being demolished so that we can rebuild and join it to the south side, completing the bridge. The demolition of the bridge will happen in two stages over the course of about one week – first the east half and then the west. Then the real work begins – building the bridge from the riverbed up to the road.

With all this work to do you may be wondering why we’d choose to start in the winter, instead of the spring or the summer. The bridge, named after William Keith, a Newmarket Reeve, an MPP and a Senior Magistrate in the early 1900s, spans the Holland River. Fisheries and Oceans Canada sets out specific timing for heavy construction [such as demolition] in and around water so that the spawning migrations of fish aren’t disturbed. We looked very closely at the factors and the timing involved before deciding that now is the best time to get the demolition done while not disrupting the fish.

Finishing the new Keith Bridge, complete with historic architectural features, in 2014 is a major part of the Davis Drive transformation. The new bridge will reflect Newmarket’s rich heritage and growing community, making it an even better place to live, work, shop and play.

 

Categories
Announcements Community Events

Join us and embrace some winter fun!

Newmarket is celebrating all things cold and snowy with their Winterfest festivities on Saturday, February 2, and we’ll be there!

Join us at Fairy Lake Park where we’ll be enjoying the beauty of winter and looking forward to chatting with you about the Davis Drive rapidway. There may be snow and it may be cold, but we’ll create our own warmth with all the activities planned at the Town of Newmarket’s fun-filled event where everyone is welcome. Be sure to stop by and visit us!

Other outdoor fun includes: pony rides, maple syrup on ice, snow disc golf, snow bowling, mini putt, a chainsaw carving demonstration, skating and horse-drawn wagon rides. Indoors there’s a pancake breakfast at 8am, followed by a variety of activities including, balloon twists, face painting, Valentine crafts, an inflatable jumping castle, and a photography contest.

You may also want to drop by the Ray Twinney Complex on Sunday, because Newmarket Winterfest continues, with a free skate and/or swim.

Winterfest admission is free, but a donation of non-perishable food is appreciated. For more details, see the Town of Newmarket’s Winterfest and Winterfest Photography Contest Application.

Newmarket Winterfest 2013 Schedule:

Saturday, February 2
Indoor at the Newmarket Community Centre & Lions Halls
200 Doug Duncan Drive, Newmarket
8am to 3pm

Outdoor at Fairy Lake Park
Water Street, Newmarket
10am to 3pm

Categories
Announcements Community Events

Stop by our new project office in Vaughan!

vivaNext rapidway construction is just getting started in Vaughan. The first phase of a Highway 7 West rapidway is moving forward between Edgeley/Interchange Way and Bowes Road, and we want to ensure that you have a place to go to ask questions, look at maps and get all the facts about construction.

We’ve opened a new project information office in Vaughan at 7800 Jane Street [northwest corner of Highway 7 and Jane]. We’re sharing the office with staff from the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension [TYSSE] project, so our new office is the place to go to talk about transit in Vaughan.

vivaNext office hours:

Mondays 9am-12pm
Wednesdays 2pm-6pm
Community Liaison Carrie Slattery: 289.716.0091

TYSSE office hours:

Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm
Wednesdays 3-5pm
Thursdays 1-3pm
Construction Liaison Theresa Buck: 416.397.8644

So stop by to say hello to us this week, to get the scoop on construction and enjoy some refreshments.

If you’d like to make an appointment outside of office hours, please Carrie Slattery or Theresa Buck at the numbers above. If you can’t come to the office, there are lots of other ways to find out about the project:

Hope to see you soon!

Categories
Construction vivaNext.com

Looking back on 2012…and forward to 2013

Wow – what progress has been made in the past year on our rapidway projects! Just a few years ago we were in the planning and pre-construction stages for each of our projects. It’s remarkable to see the plans taking shape, construction underway and truly visible changes happening.

On Highway 7 East between Bayview and Highway 404, much of the heavy road work and vivastation construction was completed in 2012. We have some paving to do in the spring, along with finishing work on sidewalks and stations. This stretch of Highway 7 shows the layout of dedicated transit lanes and vivastations and how it will all work. Once the finishing work and landscaping is done, we’ll really be able to see the transformation of Highway 7. East of Highway 404 to Warden, the last few months have seen huge changes, including road widening and prep work for the centre-lane vivastations leading to Warden Station – our fully built vivastation that’s been in service since 2011. In 2013, we’re planning to have the finishing work complete so we can put the rapidway to use between Bayview and Highway 404. East of Highway 404, vivastations will be popping up all year, with finishing work underway in 2014.

Davis Drive in Newmarket is starting to show big changes. Utility work continues, hydro poles were moved and replaced earlier this year, and culvert work is underway to the east of the hospital. Near The Tannery, traffic is now driving on the new south side of the Keith Bridge, and pedestrians can run their hands along the new bridge railing – a nod to the history of this area. In 2013, construction will continue, as crews build a new north side of the Keith Bridge, and begin to widen Davis Drive.

In 2012, the design/build contract was awarded for rapidway construction on Highway 7 West in Vaughan, from Edgeley Boulevard to Bowes Road. We’ve already started surveying and testing this section of Highway 7, and in 2013, crews will be relocating utilities and preparing for road widening.

A rapidway is on the way for Yonge Street in Richmond Hill [Highway 7 to 19th/Gamble] and Newmarket [Mulock to Davis] too, and we’ll be awarding the contract for that work in 2013. Then we’ll be surveying and testing these sections of Yonge Street, as we plan and schedule the construction work ahead.

We know it’s important to be able to get where you need to go, and that’s why we keep lanes open as much as possible during peak traffic hours. Occasionally, we need to temporarily detour entrances and sidewalks and relocate transit stops, and in these cases we do everything we can to make sure everyone knows.

We look forward to great transformations on York Region’s key roads in 2013. We hope that your holiday season is merry, and that 2013 brings great things to you and yours.

Click here to see our holiday card!

 

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
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″]