MARKHAM, ON, April 26, 2013 - Construction crews are hard at work in the Town of Richmond Hill and City of Markham as significant paving work begins on Highway 7, part of the York Viva Bus Rapid Transit (vivaNext) rapidway project that is scheduled to open this summer between Bayview and Highway 404.
Paving is scheduled to begin April 28, and continue until mid-June between Bayview Avenue and East Beaver Creek Road. To minimize overall duration and immediate impacts on motorists and businesses, crews will work 24/7 as weather permits. This enables work to be completed in an area more quickly and crews can then move on to the next section.
Paving will be completed one section at a time over a six-week period and require lane and intersection closures during weekdays and weekends. Businesses on Highway 7 are open and accessible during the paving work, using an alternate route when required. Police officers and flag persons will be on-site at affected intersections to direct traffic and assist pedestrians. Detour signs to indicate alternate routes will also be in place as needed.
With this paving activity completed, the section west of Highway 404 will be approximately 90 per cent complete. For the most up-to-date information about intersection and lane closures, including a video of how the work will be staged, visit www.vivanext.com.
Bringing the rapid transit plan to life is not without its challenges, but we are working hard to complete the project as quickly as possible and appreciate people’s patience and understanding. By 2014, we expect to have another segment completed of this modern, efficient rapid transit system that will help manage future growth and bring about a transformation to our community.
The Province of Ontario announced $1.4 billion for Metrolinx’s York Viva bus rapid transit (BRT) 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 visitwww.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.
For further information:
Dale Albers
York Region Rapid Transit Corporation
905-886-6767, ext. 1020
dale.albers@york.ca
Malon Edwards
Metrolinx, Media Relations
416-874-5945
malon.edwards@metrolinx.com