MARKHAM, ONTARIO, 2011 – Two new information offices in Markham and Newmarket will help residents stay informed about progress on the York Region Bus Rapid Transit (vivaNext rapidways) project.
The first office opens Tuesday, September 6, at the corner of South Park Road and Highway 7 in the Town of Markham. The second – at 299 Davis Drive in the Town of Newmarket – will open this fall. Community members can drop into the offices during operating hours and view maps and other project visuals, get printed materials and discuss project details.
“The McGuinty government is committed to making public transit better for Ontario families. These community offices will provide residents with easy access to all the latest information about York Region’s Bus Rapid Transit project,” said Michael Chan, MPP for Markham-Unionville.
“When we undertake multi-year, multi-project transit improvement programs, it is important that we build public awareness and work with the neighbourhoods that are impacted,” said Metrolinx President and CEO, Bruce McCuaig. “We are working very hard at Metrolinx to transform the transportation system for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), and we are pleased to have this partnership with York Region to fulfill a shared goal to expand and enhance the liveability of the communities served by public transit.”
“The Project Information Offices are another example of how we are being responsive to the needs of our communities and keeping them informed about the progress of rapidway construction,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. “Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the construction they’re seeing in their community and how these rapidways will help shape future growth for generations to come.”
Construction of the bus rapidway along Highway 7 in Markham and Richmond Hill is underway and expected to be completed in 2014. The rapidway will extend 7.5 kilometres from Bayview to Warden with 22 new vivastations.
In July, Metrolinx gave approval to York Region Rapid Transit Corporation to award the $143 million design-build contract for the Davis Drive main rapidway construction project in Newmarket. The final design work is about to get underway. Roadway construction is expected to begin in spring 2012 and be completed in 2014.
The bus rapidway in Newmarket will extend 2.6 kilometres from Yonge Street to Roxborough Road. The project also includes widening Davis Drive, building five new vivastations and incorporating features, such as wider sidewalks and landscaping.
Dedicated bus rapidways in the centre of the road, along with transit signal priority systems allow Viva vehicles to avoid congestion, provide faster trips and maintain more consistent travel times for its customers.
On behalf of Metrolinx, York Region will manage the design, construction and community outreach, and will oversee all day-to-day operations, routine maintenance decision-making and service delivery. Metrolinx will be responsible for asset preservation and replacement decision making and funding.
This project is funded through Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario working to transform regional transit expansion in the GTHA. The project is part of Metrolinx’s $1.4 billion commitment to improving transit in York Region. For more information, go to www.metrolinx.com.
York Region’s vivaNext rapid transit plan also supports the vision set out in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, part of Ontario’s Places to Grow initiative. For more information about the vivaNext plan and to sign up for construction updates, please visit www.vivanext.com.
The remaining funds for the project will be provided from interest revenue from the Move Ontario Trust.
Contact:
Dale Albers
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
905-886-6767, ext. 1020
dale.albers@york.ca
Malon Edwards
Metrolinx, Media Relations
416-874-5945
malon.edwards@metrolinx.com