Viva Bus Rapid Transit Project Wins Project of the Year Award from American Public Works Association

MARKHAM, ON, Aug. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - York Region Rapid Transit Corporation today received the American Public Works Association (APWA) Project of the Year Award for the Highway 7 Viva Bus Rapid Transit (rapidway) project in The Town of Richmond Hill for a transportation project valued greater than $75 million.

"We are proud the vivaNext rapidway project along Highway 7 has been selected for this prestigious award," said York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch. "Ridership continues to grow along Highway 7 and with the rapidway, travel times are over 30 per cent faster during peak times. Continued investment in transit helps relieve traffic congestion on our roads."

The Highway 7 vivaNext rapidway project opened on August 18, 2013. This 2.5 kilometre segment included construction of six stations, bike lanes, wider boulevards and two fully accessible buildings that connect Highway 7 to Bayview Avenue with stairs and elevators.

The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award is presented to an organization that promotes excellence in the management and administration of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the consultant/architect/engineer and the contractor.

The York Viva BRT project received $1.4 billion (2009) from the Government of Ontario, and is an example of The Big Move in action - Metrolinx's 25-year plan to implement a common vision for transportation in the GTHA. The project is being implemented by Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. For more information, please visit metrolinx.com.

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 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

SOURCE: Metrolinx vivaNext

Contact:
Nicole Lewis
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
905-886-6767
[email protected]