MARKHAM, April 7, 2016 – With the arrival of spring, vivaNext is ramping up construction activity on the York Viva Bus Rapid Transit (vivaNext) rapidways in York Region. Utility companies, construction equipment and crews will be present this year in the City of Vaughan along Highway 7 West, Bathurst Street and Centre Street, in the Town of Richmond Hill on Yonge Street, and in the Town of Newmarket on Yonge Street and Davis Drive.
In Newmarket, the Davis Drive rapidway is now open and final planting, boulevard and warranty work will be completed by June. Construction is getting started on the Yonge Street rapidway from Mulock Drive to Davis Drive, where crews will be working on relocating utilities in 2016.
In Vaughan, the opening of the Highway 7 West rapidway between Jane Street and Bowes Road is scheduled to open in 2016, and the section west of Jane to Edgeley Boulevard is being coordinated with the opening of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension at the end of 2017. The next phase of construction on the Highway 7 West rapidway is beginning, from west of Edgeley to Helen Street, and from Centre Street to Yonge Street via the existing Viva route on Centre and Bathurst Streets. This next phase is scheduled to open by the end of 2019.
In Richmond Hill, work is beginning on the Yonge Street rapidway from Highway 7 to 19th/Gamble, and throughout 2016 utility work will be the focus.
“The Ontario government is pleased to see our transit investments and the Province’s growth plans being implemented across York Region,” said Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation. “With smart investments such as the York Region BRT, the GTHA will be connected by transportation infrastructure that is prepared for growth.”
“Metrolinx is working to expand and connect transit systems in the GTHA,” said Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx. “York Region’s BRT projects are part of our commitment to connecting the region and keeping people moving.”
“We are expanding the Viva Bus Rapid Transit system to make the service even faster and more convenient,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “While this construction continues, I encourage everyone to be patient. There will be some temporary delays, but when the rapidways are finished all York Region residents will be able to use a new, modern rapid transit system.”
Hydro, gas, sewer, telecommunications lines and retaining walls are relocated to prepare for road widening and building the rapidways – dedicated bus rapid transit lanes in the centre of the road. To complete this work, some traffic lanes are temporarily closed or shifted while crews are working in these areas.
Project teams make great efforts to minimize disruptions during construction. Roadside signs provide travel time information in real-time, and construction notices are available from vivaNext by e-mail and Twitter.
The York Viva bus rapid transit project represents a $1.4 billion (2009$) transit investment from the Government of Ontario, and is part of Metrolinx’s Regional Transportation Plan, a 25-year plan for an integrated and sustainable transit and transportation system in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The project is being funded by Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. Visit metrolinx.com 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 of the vision outlined by the Places to Grow Act, which aims to manage growth in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way that enriches communities. For more information, please visit vivanext.com.
Contact:
Sarah Harris
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
905-886-6767 ext. 71380
sarah.harris@york.ca
Alex Burke
Metrolinx
416-202-5726
alex.burke@metrolinx.com