shaping our communities in Richmond Hill & Newmarket
>
The vivaNext rapidway will:
•
Complement and enhance our community as the population increases
•
Help shape successful urban growth
•
Encourage building attractive, pedestrian-friendly places for people to live, work and play
how it all began
part of a big plan
To lessen our reliance on cars, we need more choices in how to get around, and
from this comes new ideas on how our communities should grow. In 2006, the
Province of Ontario published Places to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe. This 25-year plan for managing growth aims to protect green spaces
and create complete communities with more options for life in general, including
housing, work and transportation.
Metrolinx, an Ontario provincial agency, developed The Big Move: Transforming
Transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area [GTHA] in 2008.
Metrolinx is funding transit projects like ours to expand, connect and improve
transportation systems within and between GTHA regions.
York Region’s Official Plan outlines a system of urban growth centres and
corridors and is supported by Regional Transit-Oriented Development Guidelines.
Two of the key urban growth centres identified are the Richmond Hill Regional
Centre and Newmarket Regional Centre. The Yonge Street rapidway will reinforce
the strong north-south and east-west connections to other regional centres and
other modes of public transit.
municipal planning
•
Town of Newmarket Official Plan approved in 2006
•
Town of Richmond Hill Official Plan approved in 2010
•
VivaNext has worked closely with the Town of Richmond Hill and
the Town of Newmarket to ensure rapid transit integrates with
their Official Plans, growth strategies and community objectives,
while respecting the unique attributes found in each municipality
environmental assessments
Once the vivaNext project plans were formed, Environmental Assessments
[EAs] began. Public consultation is a key part of an EA process. As part
of the public consultation for Yonge Street, York Region Rapid Transit
Corporation ensured interested parties were informed and involved,
and were provided access to information and time to respond.
We also encouraged interested parties to participate in
identifying and resolving issues.
We hosted Public Consultation Centres to help guide the
Yonge project through the EA process, and we received
approval of the EA from Ministry of the Environment.
Since then, we’ve used newsletters, social media and public
speaking opportunities to stay engaged with the communities
in Richmond Hill and Newmarket.
province / metrolinx update
2009
2017
In 2009, Metrolinx announced
The identified rapidways
The Yonge Street Bus Rapid
funding of $1.4 billion
included Highway 7, Davis Drive
Transit project is scheduled to
for the construction of
and Yonge Street
be completed by the end of 2017
rapidways in York Region
• Yonge Street segments include:
- Hwy. 7 to Major Mackenzie Dr.
- Levendale Rd. to 19th Ave./
Gamble Rd.
- Mulock Dr. to Davis Dr.
* Subject to change
Map not to scale
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vivaNext route map
Green Lane
Davis Drive
Newmarket
GO Station
NEWMARKET
Aurora Rd.
WHITCHURCHSTOUFFVILLE
Bloomington Rd.
Stouffville Rd.
MARKHAM
Major MacKenzie Drive
Highway 407
Unionville
GO Station
Steeles Avenue
TORONTO
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Yonge Street map
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Yonge Street
East Gwillimbury
GO Station
NEWMARKET
AURORA
Wellington St. E.
Highway 404
Leslie Street
Bayview Avenue
Yonge Street
Bathurst Street
Bloomington Rd.
Highway 404
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Stouffville Rd.
-G
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AURORA
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6.5 kilometres from Highway
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VAUGH A N
19
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In the heritage area north
of Major Mackenzie Drive,
MARKHAM
viva will continue to drive in
RICHMOND
mixed traffic as it does now.
HILL
Steeles Avenue
Finch Avenue
Finch
Station
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Area
VAUGH A N
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Ba
2011-2014 construction
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In total the rapidway will extend
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Bathurst Street
19
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part of a seamless GTA-wide transit network
The Yonge Street rapidway is a part of the vivaNext plan to build a rapid transit network that connects York Region’s urban centres and enriches our communities.
>
The plan includes rapidways along Highway 7, Davis Drive and Yonge Street, as well as two subway extensions.
>
Spadina Subway Extension
Yonge Subway Extension
Jane
Highway 7
Highway 7
Vaughan Metropolitan
Centre Station
Richmond Hill
Centre Terminal
Highway 407
Highway 407
Langstaff
/ Longbridge Station
Downsview Park
Station
Sheppard
Duf feri
n
Steeles
Drewry
Finch
Sheppard West
Station
map not to scale
Clark Station
Steeles Station
Bayvie
w
in
D u f fer
Finch
G O Br a
Finch West
Station
dfor d L
in e
York University
Station
Royal Orchard
Station [T.B.D.]
Yonge
Pioneer Village
Station
East Don River Crossing
Cla
rk
Bathur
st
Steeles
Keele
Highway 407
Station
Cummer/Drewry
Station
Cummer
Finch Station
map not to scale
stations become destinations along the corridor
traffic flows in a new way at signalized intersections
legend
regular traffic
viva
pedestrians
bicycles
first signal phase: left and u-turns for yonge street traffic
second signal phase: right-turns and straight-through for yonge street traffic, straight-through for yonge street pedestrians and rapid transit
third signal phase: left and right-turns and straight-through for cross street traffic
left-turns on Yonge
safer, more convenient left turns across davis drive
No more waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before making
>
Newmarket and Richmond Hill will have walkable hubs of
>
left turns across Yonge Street.
At the nearest intersection, drivers can use the dedicated left-turn
>
signal to make a U-turn and safely approach their destination.
Left turns will be made at intersections, eliminating the traffic
>
delays and hazards caused by mid-block left turns.
activity along Yonge Street, with new opportunities for living,
working and shopping.
Transformation encourages sustainable travel choices,
>
relieving traffic congestion in Newmarket and Richmond Hill
with up to 72 vehicles replaced by a single bus.
access from side streets
legend
permitted turn
prohibited turn
pedestrian-friendly streets
York Region is committed to building stronger connections
>
through its comprehensive Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan.
In consultation with the local municipalities, the Region
>
created a blueprint to develop walking and cycling infrastructure.
The plan will also promote alternate forms of travel, such as
combining walking and cycling with public transit, to help reach
its sustainable transportation objectives.
connecting to established community networks
Town of Richmond Hill
As part of a plan to create a safe, convenient, continuous
>
and connected pedestrian and cycling network, the Town of
Richmond Hill recently installed approximately 90 km of signed
bike-only routes; 57 km of signed bike routes with edge line
and 13 km of bike lanes in both residential neighbourhoods
and business parks throughout the town.
Town of Newmarket
The Town of Newmarket offers more
>
than 44 kilometres of walking and biking
trails along the Nokiidaa Trail system.
Newmarket’s vast trail system promotes
a healthy lifestyle, reduces vehicle emissions
by encouraging waking and cycling and
brings the community together to enjoy
the great outdoors.
attractive, welcoming streetscapes
The Yonge Street rapidways will include streetscape details such as side inlet grates,
>
decorative tree grates and attractive sidewalk treatments and finishes.
Landscaped areas, improved lighting and attractive architectural elements recognize Yonge
>
Street as key destinations for people to meet, gather and socialize along an attractive,
welcoming streetscape.
The combination of great transit access and wider, pedestrian-friendly sidewalks will
>
encourage businesses to offer more choices to work, dine, live and shop.
intersection
crosswalk
continuity
zone
street light
road
vivastation
canopy
tree
in grate
tree
in grate
bicycle lane
property line
street light
vivastation
platform
rapidway
lanes
pedestrian
zone
tree
in grate
new vivastations provide comfort, convenience and protection
Innovative canopy design hangs over
the vehicle, ensuring comfortable
boarding and disembarking.
Tinted glass provides enhanced comfort, reduces glare
and improves visibility during the day. At night, lighting
illuminates the canopy for additional ambiance and safety.
PA system has both live and recorded
announcements; automatic volume levels
adjust based on time of day.
Riders can easily keep track of arrivals
and service announcements in real-time
with the message board.
Motion-activated heaters provide
warmth while the new automated
entry doors minimize heat loss.
Raised tiles along the platform edge
provide greater awareness for the
visually impaired.
Vivastations can accommodate
two vehicles as well as future LRT.
Security cameras are
installed at key points
around the platforms.
Emergency call button
allows for two-way
communication and
triggers blue pulsing lights.
Signage helps direct
riders with ease
and clarity.
Fare payments
made easy. Use cash,
debit, credit, monthly
passes or the new
PRESTO card.
Designated waiting
area is marked for
those who have
paid their fare and
validated their ticket.
Glass enclosure helps
riders stay dry and
sheltered all year round.
green spaces for trees and plants are priorities
>
Plans include protecting existing vegetation and trees wherever possible.
street tree selection
>
Once the rapidway is complete, new trees will be planted along Yonge Street.
preferred street trees
>
e’re planting salt and drought-resistant trees and shrubs and adding underground soil-cell
W
technology, which helps to support healthy trees and plants.
Trees for under hydro lines
property acquisition
Process is completed in partnership with York Region Realty Services
>
Different approaches depending on project’s impact on property
>
•
temporary easements for grading and other
construction-related work areas
• permanent easements for future maintenance of
retaining walls, storm-water management ponds etc.
• partial acquisitions for strip widening
preparing for road construction
Before we can begin road construction, we need to prepare everything alongside the road first.
>
> We’ll start with:
•
relocating utilities
•
building retaining walls
•
working on water culverts and bridges
Even though all of these aren’t on the road, lane closures may be required.
>
building a rapidway step-by-step
Every effort will be made to minimize the impacts of construction and ensure that traffic
>
keeps moving as smoothly as possible. Progress is dependant on a number of factors,
including weather and scheduling.
Pave final rapidway and roadway
Build vivastations and landscape boulevard
and median along rapidway
Build rapidways down centre of roadway
Shift traffic to new lanes and repeat the previous steps
on other side
Install permanent traffic signals and pave/paint new traffic lanes
Put in new curbs, drains and sidewalks
Install new streetlights
Remove old curbs and drains
Shift all lanes over to one side of roadway
Move utilities and install temporary traffic signals
road construction staged to minimize disruption
>
Road construction will be staged, once utilities have been moved back.
Construction staging helps traffic flow, to minimize disruption to local
>
community, transit users and drivers.
Stage 1
Removal of centre medians
Stage 2
First side road widening
Stage 3
Second side road widening
Stage 44
Stage
Building down
the middle
Platform
and canopy
installation
how construction will unfold
In 2013, crews surveyed roads
>
and tested soil in preparation for
widening Yonge Street.
From 2014-2017, construction
>
will be sequenced, with major road
work starting after utility work.
Construction is scheduled
>
to be complete in 2017.
project construction timeline
Public
Environmental
Received
Surveying,
Award of
Construction/
Construction
consultations
Assessment
$1.4 billion from
geotechnical
design-build
utility
scheduled for
conducted
approved
the Government
testing and
contract
relocation
completion
of Ontario
utility locates
for vivaNext
rapidway projects
2003 - 2004
2006 & 2009
2009
2013
Early 2014
2014 - 2017
2017
* For detailed construction information, sign up for construction updates on vivanext.com.
Schedule subject to change.
access for pedestrians
Pedestrian convenience and safety are top priorities.
>
When sidewalks have to be temporarily re-routed, there will be clear signs showing
>
pedestrians where to go.
Signs and temporary sidewalks will make it easy to locate and access your favourite
>
stores and other businesses during construction.
For your own safety, please follow detour signs and cross at signalized intersections.
>
When transit stops are temporarily relocated, signs will be posted describing the new
>
location and the easiest way to get there.
Once completed, well-marked crossings, combined with audible signals, will help
>
make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross at signalized intersections.
Cyclists will have their very own dedicated lane.
>
Safety First
Sidewalk
60” Ahead
Closed
Use other side
Scale artwork to 100% | Finished size: 24” x 24”
Print at 200%
bus stop relocations
Throughout construction, all existing stops will be maintained.
>
>
In some cases, bus stops and shelters may be affected and/or relocated.
When bus stops are relocated, notices will be placed at your stop in advance.
>
Pedestrian safety will be maintained with signs on site as needed, to guide you around construction.
>
You’re
In The
Right Place
– Board
Bus Here
Bus Stop
Has Moved
To
Northeast
Corner
For more information visit yrt.ca
or call 1.866.668.3978
Artwork at 100% | Size: 11” x 17”
Artwork at 100% | Size: 11” x 17”
Artwork at 100% | Size: 17” x 6”
rapidway route and stations along Yonge Street
Green Lane
Sa M
Ea
va ulo
gl
ge ck
e
NEWMARKET
ht
s
Davis Drive
Newmarket
GO Station
el
lin
Highway 404
gt
on
Or
c
ha
rd
He
ig
Ea
Sa M
u
va lo
gl
e
ge ck
Davis Drive
Da
vi
s
So
ut
hl
ak
e
Hu
ro
n
He
Le
ig
ht
sl
ie
s
Pa
Lo rks
ng ide
fo M rd
ai
n
Yonge Street
East Gwillimbury
GO Station
Green Lane
Davis Drive
Newmarket
GO Station
Da
Br
Gr
L
i
e
vi sto ane en
l
s
East Gwillimbury
GO Station
W
in
ks
There will be a total of 10 new vivastations
>
He
nd
er
so
n
Go
lf
L
NEWMARKET
[20 platforms] built along Yonge Street,
as part of a total of
72 vivastations
Wellington
St. E. to be
built on York Region’s rapidways.
Vivastations will be in the centre of the road.
>
on
AURORA
gt
in
oo
on
rs
ffe
e
bl
am
-G
th
e
bl
am
19
th
-G
Heritage
Area
Cr
16
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by
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Major MacKenzie Dr.
VAUGH A N
Richmond Hill
Centre
Highway 7
Ba
Richmond Hill
Centre
Highway 7
New vivastation along Highway 7 East
Bayview Avenue
Yonge Street
Major MacKenzie Dr.
VAUGH A N
Highway 7
Yonge Street
Steeles Avenue
Finch
Station
MARKHAM
MARKHAM
Steeles Avenue
Finch Avenue
Highway 7
Highway 404
ng
Leslie Street
Bl
Ki
Je
19
RICHMOND
HILL
Stouffville Rd.
Heritage
Area
Stouffville Rd.
Ba 16
Cr
M
El Be
W
a
os
el
gi
nt th
rn
j
o
n
d
ry
b
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M ard
M
-S Car rick
ill
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Highway 404
Leslie Street
Bayview Avenue
2.5 km of rapidway with 6 new vivastations
along Highway 7 East.
Yonge Street
Bathurst Street
This summer, York
Region opened
>
Bloomington
Rd. its first
Yonge Street
Bathurst Street
street presence, complementing future
mixed-use development.
RICHMOND
HILL
Bloomington Rd.
m
These new stations will create an attractive
>
AURORA
Wellington St. E.
2011-2014 construction
2014-2017 construction
Open Rapidway
2015-2018 construction
Future rapid transit
Yonge Subway Extension
Terminal
Vivastation
supporting local businesses throughout construction
>
We are committed to minimizing construction impacts on local businesses, by:
• profiling local businesses on the vivaNext website
• keeping customer access to businesses
•
encouraging consumers to visit businesses along corridors through signage,
advertising and contests
• working with the Chambers of Commerce
• emphasizing that businesses are open during construction
• providing advance notice of major works activities
community liaison
>Having information, updates and answers makes the construction process easier.
As the rapidway projects move forward, we’re committed to being available to you
by phone, email or in person.
Linda Filippi
Project Manager, Community Liaisons
Tel: 905.886.6767 Ext. 1057
Cell: 905.505.0541
Email: linda.filippi@york.ca
keeping you informed throughout construction
>
Coping with construction is a lot easier when you know what to expect, where, and for how long.
>
It also helps to be reminded of all the great benefits you will enjoy at the end of it all.
>
You can find answers to any questions you may have through:
• project newsletters and bulletins
• contacting your Community Liaison
• the vivaNext website, vivanext.com
• email construction notices when you sign up at vivanext.com
• public open houses
• visiting us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, or reading our blog at vivanext.com/blog
We know that you want to know about what’s happening, so be sure to sign up for construction notices at
>
vivanext.com/signup, read our blog at vivanext.com/blog, and find us on
and
.
construction bulletin
yonge street
July 05, 2013
preliminary engineering activity is underway on Yonge Street
Over the next few months, there will be various activities taking place on Yonge Street
between Highway 7 and 19th Avenue/Gamble Road in Richmond Hill and between
Mulock Drive and Davis Drive in Newmarket.
your community liaison
Tamas Hertel
Tel: 905.886.6767 Ext. 71357
Cell: 905.505.1430
Email: tamas.hertel@york.ca
project construction timeline
Public
consultations
conducted
2003 - 2004
keep in touch
Environmental
Assessment
approved
Received
$1.4 billion from
the Government
of Ontario
for vivaNext
rapidway
projects
2005
2009
Surveying,
geotechnical
testing and
utility locates
2013
Award of
design-build
contract
Early 2014
Construction
/utility
relocation
2014 - 2017
Construction
scheduled for
completion
2017
* For detailed construction information, sign up for construction updates on vivanext.com.
Schedule subject to change.
For a more in-depth look at
different elements of vivaNext
projects plans, ongoing
activities and to sign up for
construction notices, visit
vivanext.com.
why is this work taking place?
As vivaNext continues to advance designs for the Yonge Street rapidways, preliminary
engineering activities [including geotechnical testing, utility locates, and surveying]
are required to prepare the corridor for rapidway construction.
what type of work is being done?
• Geotechnical testing, including bore hole drilling to determine pavement thickness and
integrity of the material underneath
• Utility investigation to determine location of various utilities
• Surveyors taking measurements and confirming property needs
what impact will there be?
• Most of the work will be completed in the road right-of-way and on the boulevards on
either side of Yonge Street
• Some activities may involve temporary lane closures
• The work is not anticipated to have direct impacts to private property
how long will all this work take?
• Crews will be working at various locations starting in July and continuing into the fall months
Visit our website for more details and visuals at vivanext.com.
Should you have any questions regarding the project and how it may impact your property,
staff are always available to talk to you by phone or to meet with you individually. Please
don’t hesitate to contact your Community Liaison, Tamas Hertel, at 905.505.1430 with any
questions or comments.
Follow us on twitter. Find us on facebook.
Read our blog. Go to vivanext.com.