VivaNext is committed to designing and delivering an exceptional rapid transit system – one that will help shape growth in our communities, connect York Region’s urban centres and provide faster, more reliable and congestion-free trips.

Our vivaNext expansion projects are well underway, including dedicated lanes for transit [rapidways] in Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Newmarket. A bus rapidway is being built along Davis Drive from Yonge Street to Roxborough Road. Viva service will continue on Davis to the 404. The Davis project includes pedestrian-friendly boulevards, wider sidewalks, attractive landscaping, and beautiful green spaces. All this will help manage growth in York Region for generations and make it a more inviting place to shop, work and play.

The rapidways are being built in the centre of the road. There will be important changes along Davis to how pedestrians and vehicles use intersections and traffic lanes. These permanent changes will begin once construction is ready to start in the centre of the road.

With the rapidway being built in the centre of the road, motorists will have to cross a wider intersection. To help them do this, we are installing dedicated left-turn traffic signals. Drivers can only turn left or make a U-turn when the left-turn arrow is illuminated.

Intersections will now be wider with more lanes and dedicated left-turn traffic signals. In the final configuration, at the three intersections that have vivastations on Davis, pedestrians may cross Davis in two stages if unable to get to the other side during the first signal. To help guide them safely across, new pedestrian signals and a countdown will be installed. The countdown will let pedestrians know how many seconds they have left to safely cross the street.

• It is only safe to start crossing the intersection when the “walk” signal is displayed. Always remember to proceed with caution and watch out for turning vehicles.
• Do NOT step off a curb when the red hand signal is flashing. However, if the red hand signal shows as you’re crossing the road, continue walking to the next curb.
• Don’t forget to push the “walk” button at the waiting area. If you don’t press the button, the “walk” signal will not be displayed.

To access mid-block destinations on the opposite side of the road, vehicles will make U-turns at intersections. Motorists will now have to drive past their destination to an intersection with a U-turn sign. Once the dedicated left turn traffic signal is illuminated, they can safely make a U-turn and head towards their destination. Global studies of traffic control have shown this to be a safer way to turn left on a multi-lane road.

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