Construction of Viva Bus Rapid Transit Lanes in York Region Enters High Gear

MARKHAM, ON, April 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Construction activity enters high gear on the York Viva Bus Rapid Transit (vivaNext) rapidways in York Region this year. A significant number of utility companies, construction equipment and workers will be present along the Hwy. 7 and Davis Drive corridors throughout 2013.

Power, gas, sewer and telecommunications lines and retaining walls will be relocated to prepare for road widening and the building of the rapidways - dedicated bus rapid transit lanes in the centre of the road. To complete this work, traffic lanes will occasionally be closed and/or shifted for various periods of time.

Efforts will be taken to minimize potential service and traffic disruptions during this complex work by multiple utility companies and the contractor. On-street signs will also provide real-time travel information, and construction notices will be available by e-mail and social media posts from vivaNext.

"The new Ontario government is working to build a stronger province that will create good jobs and strong, healthy communities with projects like the vivaNext rapidways," said Vaughan MPP Steven Del Duca. "Once complete, the vivaNext rapidways will get commuters where they need to go sooner and connect people to other modes of transit across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area."

"It's great to see the vivaNext projects advancing," said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. "The continued investment in public transit we've received from the Province enables us to deliver a reliable, convenient and comprehensive rapid transit system for those that live and work in York Region."

"The York Viva Bus Rapid Transit project is a priority of Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan - The Big Move," said Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO, Metrolinx. "We're pleased that construction continues to progress and that another segment of the rapidway will open later this year."

The Davis Drive rapidway in the Town of Newmarket will extend 2.6 kilometres from Yonge Street to Roxborough Road, with the Viva rapid transit service continuing eastward in the curb lane to Hwy. 404. Construction on the rapidway is well underway with completion scheduled for 2014.

The Hwy. 7 East rapidway through the City of Markham and Town of Richmond Hill will extend 6.3 kilometres from Bayview Avenue to Warden Avenue at Enterprise Boulevard, via South Town Centre Boulevard and Cedarland Drive. Construction on this segment west of Hwy. 404 is almost complete and will open later this year. The stretch east of Hwy. 404 is scheduled to open in 2014.

The Vaughan Metropolitan Centre section of the Hwy. 7 West rapidway in the City of Vaughan will extend 3.7 kilometres from Interchange Way/Edgeley Boulevard to just east of Keele Street at Bowes Road. The new vivastation in the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre development area will connect the rapidway to the subway and an inter-regional bus terminal. Construction starts this year and is scheduled to be complete in 2016 to coincide with the completion of the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension.

The Province of Ontario has provided $1.4 billion for the vivaNext bus rapid transit project. Investing in public transit is part of the new Ontario government's plan to help reduce congestion, strengthen the economy and create jobs.

The vivaNext rapidway project is being implemented by Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario, working to transform regional transit expansion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. It is a priority project from Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan - The Big Move. For more information on Metrolinx and The Big Move, please visit www.metrolinx.com.

As part of The Big Move, York Region's vivaNext rapid transit plan also supports the vision set out in the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, a cornerstone of Ontario's Places to Grow initiative. This growth plan aims to manage growth in ways that sustain a robust economy, strong communities and a healthy environment. For more information about the vivaNext plan and to sign up for specific construction notices, please visit www.vivanext.com.

SOURCE: Metrolinx vivaNext

Contacts:

Dale Albers
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
905-886-6767, ext. 1020
[email protected]

Malon Edwards
Metrolinx, Media Relations
416-874-5945
[email protected]