MARKHAM, ONTARIO, 2011 – Intersections along Highway 7 East in Richmond Hill and Markham will start changing tonight as the roadway is being widened to facilitate the York Region Bus Rapid Transit (vivaNext rapidways) project. These changes are part of the next phase of construction, providing workers sufficient room to start building the rapidway, station platforms and canopies.
A dedicated left-turn signal is being added, enabling drivers to only turn left and make u-turns while no other traffic is moving. Left-turns will not be permitted when oncoming traffic has the green light. New pedestrian signals will introduce a two-stage crossing process. Pedestrians walking at a normal pace will cross to the median and wait for the next signal before reaching the other side.
Shifting the lanes and installation of the new signals will begin tonight, weather permitting. Eastbound signals will be installed the first night and westbound signals the following night. New signals will be installed at East Beaver Creek Road, West Beaver Creek Road and Leslie Street – the three intersections west of Highway 404.
Construction of the bus rapidway along Highway 7 in Markham and Richmond Hill is well underway and expected to be completed in 2014. The rapidway will extend 7.5 kilometres from Bayview to Warden with 11 new vivastations.
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.
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.
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