Categories
Announcements Community Events

Join us and embrace some winter fun!

Newmarket is celebrating all things cold and snowy with their Winterfest festivities on Saturday, February 2, and we’ll be there!

Join us at Fairy Lake Park where we’ll be enjoying the beauty of winter and looking forward to chatting with you about the Davis Drive rapidway. There may be snow and it may be cold, but we’ll create our own warmth with all the activities planned at the Town of Newmarket’s fun-filled event where everyone is welcome. Be sure to stop by and visit us!

Other outdoor fun includes: pony rides, maple syrup on ice, snow disc golf, snow bowling, mini putt, a chainsaw carving demonstration, skating and horse-drawn wagon rides. Indoors there’s a pancake breakfast at 8am, followed by a variety of activities including, balloon twists, face painting, Valentine crafts, an inflatable jumping castle, and a photography contest.

You may also want to drop by the Ray Twinney Complex on Sunday, because Newmarket Winterfest continues, with a free skate and/or swim.

Winterfest admission is free, but a donation of non-perishable food is appreciated. For more details, see the Town of Newmarket’s Winterfest and Winterfest Photography Contest Application.

Newmarket Winterfest 2013 Schedule:

Saturday, February 2
Indoor at the Newmarket Community Centre & Lions Halls
200 Doug Duncan Drive, Newmarket
8am to 3pm

Outdoor at Fairy Lake Park
Water Street, Newmarket
10am to 3pm

Categories
Announcements Community Events

Stop by our new project office in Vaughan!

vivaNext rapidway construction is just getting started in Vaughan. The first phase of a Highway 7 West rapidway is moving forward between Edgeley/Interchange Way and Bowes Road, and we want to ensure that you have a place to go to ask questions, look at maps and get all the facts about construction.

We’ve opened a new project information office in Vaughan at 7800 Jane Street [northwest corner of Highway 7 and Jane]. We’re sharing the office with staff from the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension [TYSSE] project, so our new office is the place to go to talk about transit in Vaughan.

vivaNext office hours:

Mondays 9am-12pm
Wednesdays 2pm-6pm
Community Liaison Carrie Slattery: 289.716.0091

TYSSE office hours:

Tuesdays 10:30am-12:30pm
Wednesdays 3-5pm
Thursdays 1-3pm
Construction Liaison Theresa Buck: 416.397.8644

So stop by to say hello to us this week, to get the scoop on construction and enjoy some refreshments.

If you’d like to make an appointment outside of office hours, please Carrie Slattery or Theresa Buck at the numbers above. If you can’t come to the office, there are lots of other ways to find out about the project:

Hope to see you soon!

Categories
Construction Stations

Lighting up the neighbourhood

It’s the dark days of winter, and our crews are truly lighting up Highway 7 in Richmond Hill. They’re trying out the lighting installed at our new vivastations between Bayview and Highway 404, and it’s an exciting sign that rapidways are well and truly on the way to Highway 7.

Energy-efficient throughout and functional in all weather, these lighting systems are designed to make it easy to identify each station, and are an important safety feature for passengers waiting. Lighting also helps drivers to clearly see the rapidway in the middle of the road.

It’s not all about the bright lights though. Vivastations are being built with reflective, tinted glass curved panels that arch overhead to keep snow and rain off. A glass-enclosed area in the middle of each station has motion-activated heaters, and the raised platform eliminates the need to climb or lift objects up onto a viva vehicle. Technology includes security surveillance and intercom on the platform, and arrival/departure screens with real-time scheduling information.

We already have the first example of a vivastation built in Markham, south of Highway 7 on Warden, so the best way to experience a vivastation is to hop on and off at one. Vivastations will follow a consistent design, but station platforms will be located on different sides of the intersection in some cases. At Bayview Avenue, the vivastation platforms will be curbside, with unique towers alongside that have stairs and elevators leading to Bayview Avenue.

As the days get longer with more sunshine in spring and summer, we’ll start to see the gleaming glass of vivastations along Highway 7. By next winter, vivastation lights will be on, and Highway 7 will be a brighter place for everyone.

 

Categories
Urban Planning

Let’s talk transit

I was recently watching a video about the importance of transit in communities [see the link below], and was reminded what a difference it makes to every person to have convenient, fast transit nearby. Those of you who take transit every day are likely nodding as you read this, but if you’re not a regular transit user you may wonder how it can benefit you.

If you have to drive every day, then the road in front of you has one less car for every person who takes transit. It may be hard to picture, but next time you drive down an urban street, imagine that the people driving cars around you are riding transit and waiting at transit stops instead.

Transit is important to people with different incomes, and at different stages of life. Not only is it a smart way to save money, sometimes it’s the only affordable option to get to school or work. Having the option to take transit can be liberating, especially if you’re unable to drive due to age, medical conditions or disabilities. Some may use transit mostly in their youth, whereas others may find themselves using it later in life.  The wonderful thing is having choices.

Where you live plays an important role too. Transit is more popular in urban areas where driving and parking are frustrating. If you live just outside an urban area, transit can be your ticket to town, without having to pay for parking or taxis.

So as the video says, transit is important for communities – and that includes you, those you live with, neighbours and coworkers.

Video by the Canadian Urban Transit Association: youtu.be/HQtYFVNU7XQ

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Categories
Construction vivaNext.com

Looking back on 2012…and forward to 2013

Wow – what progress has been made in the past year on our rapidway projects! Just a few years ago we were in the planning and pre-construction stages for each of our projects. It’s remarkable to see the plans taking shape, construction underway and truly visible changes happening.

On Highway 7 East between Bayview and Highway 404, much of the heavy road work and vivastation construction was completed in 2012. We have some paving to do in the spring, along with finishing work on sidewalks and stations. This stretch of Highway 7 shows the layout of dedicated transit lanes and vivastations and how it will all work. Once the finishing work and landscaping is done, we’ll really be able to see the transformation of Highway 7. East of Highway 404 to Warden, the last few months have seen huge changes, including road widening and prep work for the centre-lane vivastations leading to Warden Station – our fully built vivastation that’s been in service since 2011. In 2013, we’re planning to have the finishing work complete so we can put the rapidway to use between Bayview and Highway 404. East of Highway 404, vivastations will be popping up all year, with finishing work underway in 2014.

Davis Drive in Newmarket is starting to show big changes. Utility work continues, hydro poles were moved and replaced earlier this year, and culvert work is underway to the east of the hospital. Near The Tannery, traffic is now driving on the new south side of the Keith Bridge, and pedestrians can run their hands along the new bridge railing – a nod to the history of this area. In 2013, construction will continue, as crews build a new north side of the Keith Bridge, and begin to widen Davis Drive.

In 2012, the design/build contract was awarded for rapidway construction on Highway 7 West in Vaughan, from Edgeley Boulevard to Bowes Road. We’ve already started surveying and testing this section of Highway 7, and in 2013, crews will be relocating utilities and preparing for road widening.

A rapidway is on the way for Yonge Street in Richmond Hill [Highway 7 to 19th/Gamble] and Newmarket [Mulock to Davis] too, and we’ll be awarding the contract for that work in 2013. Then we’ll be surveying and testing these sections of Yonge Street, as we plan and schedule the construction work ahead.

We know it’s important to be able to get where you need to go, and that’s why we keep lanes open as much as possible during peak traffic hours. Occasionally, we need to temporarily detour entrances and sidewalks and relocate transit stops, and in these cases we do everything we can to make sure everyone knows.

We look forward to great transformations on York Region’s key roads in 2013. We hope that your holiday season is merry, and that 2013 brings great things to you and yours.

Click here to see our holiday card!

 

Categories
General

Highway 7 is open for business

As rapidway construction makes great progress along Highway 7, the areas that are under active construction will continue to change.  That means drivers really need to pay attention to temporary lane markings, traffic signals and diversions, especially on a busy thoroughfare like Highway 7.

But one thing that’s remained unchanged is that you can still access all your favourite Highway 7 businesses throughout the construction period.  Whether you’re shopping for holiday entertaining, meeting with friends for a meal, or finding special things to put under the tree, Highway 7 retailers and restaurants are open for regular business throughout vivaNext construction.

From time to time, construction activities will take place in front of business and plaza driveways.  This may mean that access is slightly diverted for limited periods. But at those times our crews ensure that access to each business is kept open, and signs will be posted clearly showing drivers where to go.

As always, the best way to keep informed about where activities are going to be taking place and any temporary lane changes or diversions, is by signing up for our email updates at vivanext.com.

So this festive season, here’s one less thing to worry about: you have our commitment that Highway 7 businesses are open for business as usual, and are looking forward to helping make your holidays bright.

Categories
Community Events

vivaNext has Christmas spirit!

The third annual State Farm Festival of Trees for Southlake has begun at the Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket and vivaNext is right in the thick of it!

The goal of this joyous and festive event is to raise funds for Southlake Regional Health Centre by having businesses sponsor and decorate a tree with a theme based on their brand. These trees are showcased throughout the Upper Canada Mall, (pssst…ours is right beside the escalator near The Bay).

There’s quite a few colourful and creative trees around the mall, so be sure to see them all. And while you’re there, vote on your favourite tree. You can vote any time between November 22, 2012 and January 4, 2013 at the voting machines located near the Festival display in the mall.

We wish Southlake great success in their efforts for our Regional Health Centre, from which we all benefit.

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Categories
Construction Stations

May snow fall and cold winds blow…

Although the forecast is for a cold winter this year, our vivaNext Highway 7 construction schedule calls for us to keep going at full-speed, even while it’s snowy out there. Here’s an overview of what we’re going to be working on this winter along Highway 7, and how we’ll manage to keep going when the temperatures drop.

There’s no doubt that some work – like paving – is best done when it’s warm. So the first rule of project management is to plan the work schedule many months in advance, so work can progress without interruption through all seasons. That means we do the work that has to be done when it’s warmer – such as paving or landscaping – when it’s warm, and use the winter for tasks that can be done at any time of the year.

This winter, our focus will be on continuing with the stations along Highway 7 and on the towers connecting Bayview to Highway 7, leaving the road work and landscaping for next spring.

At the Bayview towers our goal is to enclose the south tower before Christmas, including getting the roof on and the glass installed. Once the space is enclosed but not heated, we’ll do some interior work including elevators and electrical work. And when the towers have permanent power, we can warm up the interior using temporary industrial space heaters. Then we’ll start to install tiling and hand railings, both of which use grout which requires warmer temperatures.

For the stations along Highway 7, working in the winter requires some additional measures which allow us to keep going. One design advantage we have is that our station platform foundations are built with concrete piers sunk into the ground, rather than a compacted granular base which would be a challenge in the winter. We’ll be able to dig the holes for the piers throughout the winter by heating the subsurface before pouring concrete. After the pour, the concrete is covered with insulated blankets and heated with diesel-fired “frost-fighter” heaters. These heaters – about five times as powerful as a typical home furnace – provide enough heat to help concrete cure, even when it’s cold. And when we know it’s going to snow, the entire platform is covered with tarps to keep the snow off our work site.

So with a lot of advance planning, we’ll be able to continue pouring the foundations and platforms throughout the winter. Come next spring we can get back to the road work and landscaping, with our goal unchanged of having the first section of the Highway 7 rapidway operational in 2013.

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Categories
Community Events

Bring on the jolly season!

It’s the time of year when everyone’s thoughts turn to the joy of the season and nothing kicks off the holiday season better than a parade.

Over the next few weeks you’ll have plenty of opportunity to attend one of York Region’s many Santa Claus parades, and if you do, watch out for vivaNext and YRT\Viva, as we spread winter cheer.

YRT\Viva work together to seamlessly connect, not only all the municipalities in York Region, but also to provide easy access to other transit systems operating in neighbouring regions — including Toronto, Durham and Peel.

VivaNext, York Region’s plan for the next generation of viva rapid transit service, will truly put the rapid into transit and make it even faster and easier for you to travel around and outside of York Region.

Whichever Santa Claus parade you go to, look for YRT\Viva and vivaNext staff wishing you happy holidays while proudly walking and waving alongside a beautifully decorated viva bus — it’ll be hard to miss!

Categories
Announcements

Future growth is now

Future growth is now

We know that growth is inevitable in York Region, and that our Region’s share of the total growth expected across the GTA will put our population at 1.5 million by 2031. We keep an eye on the numbers, because helping to shape and manage future growth is exactly why we’re building our vivaNext rapid transit projects.

The 2011 Census data is just becoming available, and it gives an interesting snapshot of our Region’s growth, confirming that we’re right to be building a leading-edge bus rapid transit system, right now. Here are some interesting facts about the current population trends in York Region, which show that the predicted future growth is happening now, and is likely to continue.

As of December 31, 2011, our total population was 1,085,600 – making York Region the sixth largest region or city in the country. And York Region continues to attract people from all over, inside Canada as well as abroad. In the last five years, our population has grown by an average of 27,200 each year – that’s like adding the entire population of East Gwillimbury (plus a few thousand extra) each and every year!

It’s not only people moving to York Region – employers are adding jobs, too. Our track record at attracting new jobs continues to be very strong, with the Region’s employment growth having on average, exceeded its population growth over the last 35 years. With 15,000 new jobs added last year – compared to 9,000 in 2009-2010 – our economy is in good shape. Employers want to locate here, and we want to make sure it’s easy for their employees to get to work, whether they live in or out of the Region.

It’s no surprise that people and employers are attracted to York Region. We have a highly educated and trained workforce, an interesting mix of culture and scenery, great work opportunities – and soon, rapid transit!

If you’re new to York Region, or have started to work here, I’d love to hear what attracted you.