The expression “where there is a will, there is a way” might as well be talking about the Yonge North Subway Extension [YNSE], because this project has been York Region’s top transit priority for two decades. Here at YRRTC, we were thrilled to hear the announcement last month that the Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the YNSE, as part of a larger investment for four GTA transit projects.
The YRRTC Board, led by Board Chair and Markham Mayor, Frank Scarpitti, and Chairman and CEO of York Region, Wayne Emmerson have championed this project, most recently collecting signatures on symbolic shovels, and ensuring the 905 & 416 voices were heard at the federal table with respect to this critically important piece of infrastructure.
We’re happy to see that the federal government recognizes the fact that the YNSE and other transit systems are key economic drivers, generating hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in economic benefits, starting from the planning stage all the way through construction and operation.
Here at YRRTC, we’ve spent years advocating for the YNSE as well as other rapid transit needed to accommodate York Region’s future growth. We know there are many more steps ahead to get this subway planned, designed, and built. Big subway projects like this can take 10 years to construct, and in this case every level of government is involved, and the project crosses regional and municipal boundaries. There is a will to build the YNSE though, and with the recent Provincial, Federal and Municipal funding commitments, now there is a way.
One day in the not-so-distant future, we’ll be celebrating the first subway ride along the Yonge North Subway Extension. Until then, there is lots of work to do to plan and design a subway project that works for everyone.
Metrolinx is the project manager for the YNSE and provides information at metrolinx.com. Find other related YNSE materials on YRRTC’s website, vivanext.com/YongeSubwayExt.
connecting 2 employment megazones! over 54,000 employers in Markham and Vaughan will be connected by the Yonge North Subway Extension.
When considering the Yonge North Subway Extension, the question is, are we keeping up with growth in York Region – or catching up to it? This is the second blog in a series that will help our communities get more familiar with the Yonge North Subway Extension and highlight some of the important reasons why York Region needs this critical project.
The truth is that Yonge Street is growing fast north of Finch, with high-density residential and commercial developments both in the works, and planned, for the near future. The growth, and its pace, is already enough to sustain a subway extension.
Which means, we already need to catch up – and keep up! The Yonge North Subway Extension [YNSE] will support the number of people, businesses, jobs and housing in York Region and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area [GTHA]. From the beginning of the construction stage through opening, it will bring new jobs and businesses, and attract residents and employers.
York Region is one of Canada’s fastest-growing large urban municipalities, forecasted to reach a population of 2.02 million and employment of 990,000 by 2051 [York Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review, 2021).
In anticipation of the YNSE, the corridor is already seeing growth, with 19 residential developments including over 19,779 units and 550,000 square feet of commercial/retail space already proposed or underway as of the end of 2020.
This already high demand is sure to increase even more, with the Yonge North Subway Extension connecting two GTHA employment megazones: Vaughan and Markham: 654,650 jobs and 54,200 employers as of 2019.
Large infrastructure projects like the Yonge North Subway Extension can take 10 years to complete, so it should be built in parallel with other rapid transit projects over the next decade.
As we work through the processes of design and approvals, we need to ensure the YNSE and other rapid transit projects continue moving forward.
Looking ahead, we will further explore other key areas of Deloitte’s federal submission report, highlighting other important benefits that come with investments in critical projects like the Yonge North Subway Extension.
With investments in the YNSE and other rapid transit projects, we’ll be able to catch up to the demand that’s already there and prepare for the future.
Last month, Metrolinx released their Yonge North Subway Extension Initial Business Case, and for those of you who aren’t already experts on transportation planning, that means this critical project has taken one step forward. As always with large infrastructure projects like this, there are more steps to come. There’s a consultation process just getting started, and that will help answer some of the questions around where the stations should be, and the route the extension takes [aka. The “alignment”]. This is the first of several future blogs that will help our communities get more familiar with the Yonge North Subway Extension project and the important benefits it brings to York Region.
the process
The purpose of an Initial Business Case is to analyze different options or designs for a project, to come up with a preferred option before moving on to preliminary design and procurement [and more business cases], followed by construction. In this case, Metrolinx has developed new alternatives to the route and stations, including Option 1 that was selected as part of an Addendum to the Environmental Project Report York Region completed in partnership with the TTC and Toronto in 2013, and new second and third options.
More decisions are yet to be made, and Metrolinx has kicked off a series of public engagement opportunities. A Supplementary Analysis contains refined information for Option 3, and this and the Business Case will help support the Province’s application for funding.
funding this critical project
There’s also the very important step of acquiring a full funding commitment from the federal government [the Province committed to funding their share in 2019].To help build the case for this missing link in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area [GTHA], York Region commissioned a federal submission by Deloitte to ensure the project has a robust funding application.
the benefits
One thing we know for sure is how important the Yonge North Subway Extension is to the economic recovery and growth, environment, and mobility of the local and greater areas where it’s being built.
Over 52,000 new jobs during construction and 5,000 after opening, 12,000 new housing starts, and an overall contribution to over $7.8 billion in Gross Domestic Product will help produce a positive cycle of economic change.
Annual reductions of 4,800 tonnes of auto-related greenhouse gas emissions will move the GTHA a little farther on the track to Canada’s target of net-zero emissions, due to 7,700 fewer vehicle kilometres travelled during morning peak hours.
Within the first five years of service, over 13 million new subway riders annually will have improved access to potential employment, housing and other services, regardless of ability, family status, socio economic circumstances, etc.
Looking ahead, we will examine other key areas of Deloitte’s federal submission report, outlining important benefits that come with investments in infrastructure projects like the Yonge North Subway Extension.
There are important things to sort out, but this has been a project in the making for 20 years, and we need to keep moving it forward to get it where it needs to be. And we’re all on board for that.
Last year was unprecedented and came with challenges for everyone, everywhere. There were achievements too though, and those are worth more than a mention. Working with our partners, at YRRTC we delivered 17 kilometres of rapid transit in 2020, completing the first phase of the Viva bus rapidway network that includes 33.7 kilometres of dedicated rapidways along York Region’s busiest corridors. These projects are more than just transit – they are complete street rebuilds above and below the ground. As of the end of 2020, the rapidways, combined with some transit facilities and a bus terminal, have brought $2.7 billion in assets that will benefit communities in York Region for generations to come.
Over the past years, YRRTC has been recognized and received awards for innovative design and technology elements of the Viva bus rapid transit projects. Many factors contribute to the success of our projects – engineering, urban design, architecture, construction, partnerships and collaboration – but there’s one element that isn’t always mentioned: Communications. Our communications initiatives support each project and keep stakeholders and the community informed in new and creative ways.
YRRTC is honoured to have recently been recognized for our digital communications, with multiple awards from AVA Digital Awards including:
The AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design and production of digital communication. Work ranges from digital campaigns to audio and video production to website development to social media engagement to mobile marketing. The Award is judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), whose judges have a reputation for accuracy, fairness and credibility.
We’re proud to deliver creative excellence in support of these complex infrastructure projects!
We all have our favourite seasonal stories. Some love the old
classics, others like the Grinch or Charlie Brown. Here at vivaNext we lean
toward stories of transit of course, like The
Polar Express for example. Maybe that’s because we identify with the boy in
the story, just a little bit. We may not have been waiting for a magical train
to the North Pole, but since before the 2005 launch of Viva service, we’ve
believed in the possibility of a connected rapid transit network.
Back then, the vision to connect and transform communities wasn’t tangible. It seemed unbelievable that even one street would be transformed, let alone 34 km. But just a few years later we felt the magic of watching a Viva bus pull up to York Region’s very first vivastation at Warden and Enterprise in Markham.
Later, we saw Highway 7 East transform from a highway with gravel shoulders into a walkable destination with tree-lined sidewalks, and new places to live and work.
This year, we’ve jumped ahead in our journey, with a new terminal open for service in November, new segments of rapidway open in September and November – and even more rapidway corridors opening soon in Vaughan and Newmarket.
So now, the vision of connecting and transforming
communities has come to life. This is the season to believe, so let’s believe
in future possibilities. Instead of hoping for a magical Polar Express train to the North Pole, we’ll be moving forward with
the Yonge Subway Extension to Highway 7, and a connected network of bus rapid
transit across York Region.
Thank you for believing, and have a safe and
happy holiday!
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation’s President, Mary-Frances Turner, spoke yesterday at the Global Public Transportation Summit in Stockholm, Sweden. Along with speakers from Melbourne, Australia; Paris, France; and Vancouver; she presented about the role of public transport in shaping cities. Her presentation, Art of the Possible: Turning a car-centric municipality into a culture of livability with transit, talks about how in York Region, smart growth and transit policies have been a catalyst to building a strong transit system and vibrant urban centres. How the rapidway projects have provided walkable, livable and desirable communities through smart growth, attractive streetscapes and investment.
The
presentation in Stockholm allows us to showcase York Region, and more
importantly, it’s an excellent learning opportunity, to see what other cities
around the world have done to overcome challenges and shape their communities.
Last month,
our Design Chief, Infrastructure and Development, Stephen Hollinger, spoke at
the Urban Transit Infrastructure West conference in Vancouver on the topic of
alternative financing for transit projects. This is a hot topic lately, and we
were happy to share and discuss our experiences with public-private
partnerships.
We only travel to a select few national and international conferences. More often, we’re part of panels and round-table discussions held in the GTA, or we’re hosting visitors from other cities around the world. Just recently, a delegation of visitors from Barcelona, Spain went for a tour of our transit service facility in Richmond Hill and the transit hub in Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Since we opened our first rapidway segment on Highway 7 East in 2013, we’ve received visitors from several cities across North America, delegates from Europe, and our tours have been part of conventions held locally by public works and transit associations.
Whether it’s learning from the best and brightest in Ontario or around the world, we’re always exploring and discovering the latest in community building and transportation technology, so we can continue to plan the best travel options for those who live, work and travel in York Region.
Despite wavering weather from Mother Nature, crews have been busy with a number of work activities across each of our construction projects in Richmond Hill, Newmarket and Vaughan.
If you’ve been out driving or walking along these projects, you
may feel that construction can sometimes be messy, chaotic, and never-ending. Although
all this work may appear identical, there are actually a number of construction
activities underway, many of which require specialized crews. But, before work
starts on each of rapid transit projects, there’s careful planning that goes on
behind the scenes.
vivastations
There are many steps in building each of the iconic vivastations
across our projects, all which are carefully planned to ensure work can get
completed efficiently, while ensuring everyone – pedestrians, motorists and
construction workers – remain safe. When complete, transit users will be able
to enjoy new technology and innovative features that each vivastation offers.
Building a vivastation is sort of like putting together the pieces
to a puzzle. Each step carefully lays the foundation for the vivastation,
prioritizing consistency, quality, and safety.
As the year progresses and work on our vivastations begins to
unfold, keep your eyes out for each of the following steps that go into building
a vivastation!
1. Excavation, caisson drilling, and finishing
After the existing asphalt and road base is removed in preparation
for construction, circular caissons are drilled 8 to 10 meters (26 to 32 feet)
into the ground. Caissons are reinforced concrete columns placed below ground
that act as the foundation for platforms. First, a large drill is used to
create a deep hole for the column. Next, a steel rebar cage is placed in the
drilled hole. Finally the hole is filled in with concrete.
2. Platforms, barrier walls are formed, poured, and cured
Once the caissons are installed, the concrete station platform and
barrier walls will start to take shape. A concrete slab reinforced with steel
is built on top of caissons to serve as the platform for vivastations. Concrete
for the barrier walls are then formed, which provide delineation between the vivastation
and live traffic, making them a key safety feature of every vivastation.
Prior to the installation of the barrier walls, electrical conduits
are placed within the steel rebar cage. Plywood
forms are used as a mold for the walls and are placed around the rebar. Concrete
is poured into the forms to create the barrier walls. Once the concrete is
hardened, the forms are removed and the barrier walls are smoothed out to
remove any surface imperfections.
3. Steel erection
A steel skeleton – prefabricated offsite and transported by trucks
– is then erected on the concrete barrier walls. Prior to delivery to the site,
the steel canopy is painted with a resin coating, in a champagne bronze colour.
These structures are raised into place by a large crane with
careful maneuvering and precision. Lanes are often reduced around the
vivastation during this procedure to ensure pedestrians, motorists and crews
remain safe.
4. Glass
installation
Each of our vivastations use tempered glass, which contains properties
that strengthen the glass, ultimately creating a safe and durable structure
that covers the exterior of the vivastation.
The glass is pre-cut and tinted prior to delivery to the site.
Construction crews then carefully place the glass onto the canopy, creating our
beautiful, signature blue vivastations.
5. Tile
work on platform
Tile work is then done on the platforms, including tactile tile
work at every vivastation. These tactile tiles are either cast iron or porcelain
plates – depending on the construction project – that act as a textured ground
surface indicator. These tiles are able to assist pedestrians and passengers
who are visually impaired effectively navigate the surrounding environment.
Similar to our bus stops, we install directional tiles at every
vivastation platform. Directional tiles are brown, textured tiles that help to assist
visually impaired pedestrians and passengers in determining accurate direction
of travel.
6.
Electrical and IT systems
The installation of electrical and IT (Intelligent Transportation)
systems are spread out throughout the whole construction process. However, most
of this work happens close to when the vivastations will be completed. Security
and PA systems, emergency call boxes (ECB), lights, and motion-activated
heaters within the enclosed waiting area are installed, along with PRESTO/VIVA
fare vending machines.
7. Fixture
installation
Fixtures common to every vivastation are installed. These include,
but are not limited to, garbage and recycling bins, handrails, doors, signs,
and benches, signaling that the rapidway will soon be open for service.
building
transit for the future
It takes time to build transit that will have a lasting impact on
generations to come. Our construction projects are about more than just
dedicated lanes for bus rapid transit – they’re about connecting people and
places, and providing complete streets for the entire community to benefit
from. Complete streets provide economic, environmental and social benefits that
lead to an overall improvement in quality of life.
Transit riders, residents and businesses are best served when
transit works as an integrated system. It’s crucial for transit services to
work together as a well-planned network, connecting different modes of
transportation and destinations. And we’re proud that our vivastations play an
integral role in connecting the community in a faster, more efficient way.
STAYING
INFORMED
Make sure to connect with us on social media to receive regular
construction updates and stay in touch! The best way to stay informed about our construction
projects is to sign-up for email notifications at vivanext.com/subscribe, and to follow us on our social media platforms.
Sometimes we’re so locked into daily routines we stop noticing what’s new and changing around us. York Region is made up of fast-growing communities. As we go about living, working, and commuting we don’t always see the new park around the corner, the tulips blooming, new buildings under construction, or the blue glass on that new bus station.
Things
change gradually. Bit by bit, our communities grow to meet our needs. New
greenspace makes the neighbourhood a nice place to spend time. New buildings
give us places to live and work, and new bus rapidways, terminals and subways bring
new travel options and connection points. Choices and options are what make the
places we choose to live that much better and here in York Region we’re seeing
those changes continue to improve our way of life.
As our
communities grow and people adopt new technology and travel patterns, we drive
change together. Bus rapid transit and subway connections are a key part of
planning for change and growth. We’ve been steadily building projects in York
Region that not only provide rapid transit, but also put new infrastructure in
place. These investments in new underground utilities, new bridges, tree-lined
sidewalks and accessible traffic signals will prepare for current and future
residents and businesses. Transit supports growth and development as
communities continue to grow.
With all these
changes come new possibilities. So be inspired, explore your community this
spring and discover the wonderful places around you.
If you’ve been following the conversations about transit projects in the media recently, you’ve probably heard some of the debate around which project should be built first. We’ve been following the debates too, and we’ve come to the conclusion that the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area [GTHA] needs as much transit as possible.
The Yonge Subway Extension [YSE] has been in York Region’s Transportation Master Plan since 1994, and here at YRRTC we’ve been working on moving it forward since we became a corporation in 2003. We of course support the YSE being built, but it’s not just a matter of one project. It’s a connected network. It’s commuters crossing municipal boundaries. And it’s important that it all come together in the next decade or so.
Why? Well partially it’s because there hasn’t been enough transit built in the past 50 years and we need to catch up a bit. And we also need to keep up with the growth to ensure the number of people, businesses, jobs and housing continue to grow in York Region and the GTHA.
York Region is expected to grow from 1.2 million residents to 1.5 million by 2031
York Region has 51,000 businesses, and together with the Toronto provides 2 million jobs – equal to about 11% of Canada’s labour force
York Region has an average of 13,000 new jobs every year, and over the last five years, our workforce has grown at 3.1% on average, surpassing growth rates in the nation, province and GTA
In the southern part of York Region, Markham and Vaughan are two of the GTA’s four employment “Megazones” and together with Pearson airport these zones have more jobs than Downtown Toronto
Toronto residents make over 189,700 trips per work day to York Region, and even more trips are southbound, supplying employees and customers to help Toronto’s businesses thrive
TTC’s Line 1 is currently over capacity during peak hours. There are capacity improvements required that will help with this, like the Line 1 extension to Vaughan [opened in 2017], TTC’s automatic train controls, new signals, six-car trains, and Go Expansion/SmartTrack. Large infrastructure projects like the Yonge Subway Extension can take 10 years to complete, so the YSE can be built in parallel with the capacity improvements in the next 10 years.
Building the YSE will help reduce traffic congestion – eliminating the almost 2,500 bus trips per workday on Yonge Street between Highway 7 and Finch Station, and giving commuters who drive between Toronto and York Region the chance to get out of traffic.
So which projects should be built first, and which should wait? We need as much transit as possible, so let’s consider all options, and try our very best to get the GTHA moving. Because it can’t wait.
If you haven’t taken transit for a while, or are new to York Region, you may need to know a bit more about our system, and how it works.
A recent article in the Markham Economist and Sun pointed out 10 Helpful facts About York Region Transit, and it reminded us that not everyone knows the basics. We’ll cover some of the facts here, and explain a few things along the way.
history
In 2001, transit in four of York Region’s nine municipalities merged to become York Region Transit [YRT]. This was following through on a vision to have a fast, convenient, seamless transit system across York Region. York Region’s bus rapid transit – Viva – was launched in 2005, with curbside vivastations and distinctive blue buses [pictured above] custom-designed with higher capacity and enhanced comfort. More frequent service, prioritizing traffic signals, and off-board payment all meant improved service.
Viva curbside was just the beginning. In 2010, we at YRRTC began building rapidways – dedicated lanes and stations for Viva buses. As of today, we have 12.2 km of rapidways, and 18 vivastations built and open for service. By the end of this year, we should have 15 more kilometres of rapidways and 13 more stations [each station has two platforms and blue canopies – one for each direction] open for service.
Aside from YRT Local [white buses] and Viva [blue buses], YRT also operates Express routes with fewer stops during rush hours, and On-Demand service in locations and time periods with lower demand, and used by customers who need assistance or who have disabilities.
statistics
Two things stand out in YRT’s stats: many customers travelling, across a huge area. On a typical weekday, YRT serves more than 77,000 customers, and in 2016, there were 22.8 million customers. York Region is 1,762 sq. km, almost three times larger than Toronto, and 24% of the Greater Toronto Area.
To serve such a big area, YRT has a fleet of more than 500 vehicles, operates 128 bus routes and serves more than 5,300 bus stops and vivastations.
fares
While it’s possible to pay using cash either on board a YRT bus, or at a ticket machine at a vivastations, it’s convenient and a little cheaper to use a PRESTO card or the YRT Pay app [free for iOS or android]. Without these, fares are $4, or $4.50 to ride Express, or $1 to ride to GO. Using a PRESTO Card or the YRT pay app, fares are currently $3.75 for adults, $3 for youth, $2.35 for children/seniors, $4.25 to ride Express, and still $1 to ride to GO. When you board a Viva bus you can use either the front or back door and have your proof of payment ready in case YRT staff asks to see it. Fares can change over time, and when you cross borders, so if you haven’t been on YRT in a while or you’re planning to travel to & from Toronto, download YRT’s Fare Guide.
more info
Have more questions? Visit YRT.ca for schedules and maps, and excellent trip-planning tools that will tell you how to get where you’re going. They also have a feedback form and live chat options on their website, or if you need to hear a voice, call 1-866-668-3978.
future transit in York Region
Transit grows along with our vibrant city centres and busy streets. Our projects here at YRRTC include more rapidways opening in the next two years, and two YRT bus terminals – in Vaughan and Markham. Future plans that require funding include building over 75 km of rapidways along other corridors – connecting Yonge Street between Newmarket and Richmond Hill, extending Highway 7 to eastern Markham and western Vaughan, and adding Viva along Jane and Leslie Streets, and Major Mackenzie Drive. There’s more to explore of course. You can learn from YRT about their Service Plans, and learn about rapidway projects on vivanext.com. Happy travels.
