NEWMARKET, April 15, 2015 – Construction is starting on a new park and ride lot at Davis Drive and Highway 404 that will make it easier for people to take public transit.
The carpool lot, currently located at Davis Drive and Highway 404 and owned by the Ministry of Transportation, will be expanded to become a park and ride lot for York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) and GO Transit. YRT/Viva and GO buses will have separate platforms with covered shelters for passengers to board. The YRT/Viva platform will have the same operating standards and branding as the rest of the York Region rapidways.
The total cost of the project is $4 million, including $500,000 for project design and approximately $3.5 million for the construction contract, which was awarded to Loc Pave Construction. Metrolinx will contribute $2.5 million toward the project, while $1.5 million will come from the Province’s funding commitment to the York Region Bus Rapid Transit project for Davis Drive. Metrolinx also funded the initial $500,000 up-front costs for the project design.
The Davis Drive rapidway will run for 2.6 kilometres along the centre of Davis Drive from Yonge Street to Roxborough Road. East of Roxborough Road, Viva will continue in mixed traffic for 2.3 kilometres with curbside stops at Alexander/Huron Heights and Leslie Street. The future park and ride lot will be the last stop for Viva buses travelling on Davis Drive.
The final stop at the future park and ride lot will connect several modes of transit – YRT/Viva, and GO Transit. People can park and take YRT/Viva or GO transit to get anywhere in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). Completion of the park and ride is scheduled to align with the opening of the Davis Drive rapidway this December. The current carpool lot will remain open for the majority of construction, with work being done in stages to minimize disruptions.
“The new park and ride lot will make it easier for people to take transit in York Region,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation. “This is proof of our government’s commitment to making the daily commute and quality of life better for Ontario families.”
“This is great news for Newmarket residents and commuters in York Region,” said Chris Ballard, Newmarket-Aurora MPP. “Residents will have better options to get to work, school and appointments.”
“York Region Council will be spending more money on transit and transportation-related infrastructure in this term of council than in any other term of council,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emerson. “Providing more transit options is essential to creating a well-connected transit network for all residents, visitors and works to enjoy.”
“This is a great example of how we’re working with our partners to improve public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,” said Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx. “Integrating our services in one spot makes it easier for our customers to move around the region, and gives them another reason to choose transit first.”
This project is part of Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan to provide residents and businesses in the GTHA with fast, convenient and integrated transit. Working through its divisions, GO Transit, PRESTO, and Union Pearson Express, Metrolinx is transforming the way the region moves. Visit www.metrolinx.com for more information.
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (YRRTC) is responsible for the planning, design and construction of the full vivaNext rapid transit network and related infrastructure to deliver on the transit priorities set out in the York Region Transportation Master Plan. YRRTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary and share capital corporation of The Regional Municipality of York. The vivaNext plan is a key component that is supporting the vision outlined by Ontario’s Places to Grow Act, which aims to manage growth in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way that enriches communities. For more information, please visit www.vivanext.com
Contact:
Anne Marie Aikins
Metrolinx
416-202-5796
Email: AnneMarie.Aikins@metrolinx.com
Tanya Fobear-Wilson
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
905-505-1504
Email: tanya.fobear-wilson@york.ca