highway 7 west
Summer 2014
building a seamless transportation network
keep in touch
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:
1. Visit vivanext.com
2. Click on ‘subscribe’ on the
left side
3. Select the ‘Highway 7 West’
boxes and any others of
interest
4. Provide your contact info
5. Click on ‘Submit’
Transit is about to become more connected and
more convenient for those travelling in and
around Vaughan. Several rapid transit projects
are set to arrive over the next few years,
including the vivaNext rapidways on Highway 7
West, the Toronto-York Spadina Subway
Extension [TYSSE] and a York Region Transit
bus terminal. With these new transit options,
residents, visitors and commuters will enjoy
the mixed-use development offered in
Vaughan’s new downtown area – the Vaughan
Metropolitan Centre [VMC].
Surrounded by businesses, residences,
entertainment and cultural facilities, as well
as pedestrian shopping areas, VMC will be a
significant urban centre in York Region and a
key transportation hub for generations to
come.
Running in dedicated lanes along Highway 7
West, from Pine Valley Drive through the urban
corridor to Yonge Street, the vivaNext
rapidways will include wider sidewalks,
attractive boulevards and multiple transit
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connections, resulting in new destinations for
the whole community and visitors to enjoy.
The unique Vaughan Metropolitan
Centre-Spadina [VMC-Spadina] rapidway
vivastation will connect the centre-lane
rapidways to the 8.6 km TYSSE and a future
York Region Transit bus terminal – all within
walking distance! Located on Highway 7 West
at Millway Avenue, this unique vivastation is
designed with a modified roof to accommodate
a longer and wider station platform. Customers
and pedestrians will be able to make
connections to Viva at street level, and access
the subway and a York Region Transit bus
terminal through a convenient and
fully-accessible underground pedestrian
concourse.
VivaNext is committed to designing and
delivering an exceptional rapid transit system one that will help attract new residents and
businesses, shape growth in downtown
Vaughan and provide faster, more reliable
transit services.
transformation is underway
The first section of Highway 7 east rapidway in Richmond Hill is open and the new dedicated centre lanes for viva buses are allowing riders to
enjoy faster and more consistent travel times.
The vivaNext rapidway in Vaughan is more than just a transit
project. It also includes urban design elements such as
pedestrian-friendly boulevards, wider sidewalks, attractive
landscaping, bicycle lanes and green open spaces. The
rapidway will stretch over 15 km, from Pine Valley Drive to
Yonge Street and will include 13 new vivastations. The project
is divided into two phases of construction work. Throughout
construction, we’re committed to keeping everyone informed
and minimize disruptions as much as possible for those who
live, work and commute in Vaughan.
Phase 1 – road widening is underway!
Last year we set the foundation for rapidway construction
in the VMC area with preliminary underground
infrastructure work from Jane Street to Bowes Road.
This year construction is ramping up with significant
activity taking place.
Traffic lanes, sidewalks and bus stops have shifted to
accommodate the installation and relocation of hydro,
sewer lines and telecommunications in order to make
room for the dedicated centre-lane rapidway. This
construction season, vivaNext continues to build retaining
walls and road widening begins from Jane to the CN
Bridge. To complete this work, east and westbound lanes
will be reduced along Highway 7, with a centre emergency
services/shared left-turn lane provided where possible.
These changes are an important part of the next phase of
construction, providing workers sufficient room to work
safely.
Bringing this plan to life is not without its challenges.
Construction, in particular, is messy and disruptive,
with its shifting lanes, signage, road closures and
traffic delays. As work continues, please know how
much we appreciate your patience. We are working
hard to complete as much as possible this construction season.
Phase 2 – pre-construction continues
The procurement process is underway for the next phase of
vivaNext rapidways on Highway 7 West, with the Design-Build
Request For Proposals scheduled to go out this summer.
You may have noticed some pre-construction activities already
underway along the corridor - as preliminary engineering
continues, contractors and surveyors will be working along
Highway 7, Centre and Bathurst Streets, reviewing designs,
taking photos and gathering data. Construction for this second
phase is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019.
Vaughan now
Vaughan next
construction update – VMC Station
VMC Station will be the final stop on the new Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension. Construction
at the station is well underway. With shoring and excavation of the station box complete, crews
continue concrete work on the walls, platform, concourse and the roof. Construction of the tail
track [area at the end of the subway line, where trains can be parked and stored when not in use]
and a pedestrian tunnel that will provide an underground connection to the future York Region Bus
Terminal are both substantially complete.
One of the most distinctive features of the station is its domed metal roof. It has been designed as a
cool roof with a high solar reflectance to reduce heat absorption. From the inside, transit riders will
see a number of skylights in the dome that will allow natural light to fill the concourse level.
Visit vivaNext.com/blog for updates and construction milestones. For TYSSE stations and more detailed construction
information visit the TYSSE website at spadina.ttc.ca.
building a transportation hub – VMC bus terminal
A new York Region Transit bus terminal is
another part of the vivaNext transit development
planned in the VMC area. Located off Millway
Avenue, between Apple Mill Road and Portage
Parkway, VMC Bus Terminal will include a
convenient passenger pick-up/drop-off area as
well as 9 bus bays, connecting passengers to
various YRT and Brampton Transit bus routes.
The terminal will provide fully accessible,
enclosed heated waiting areas and washroom
facilities. It will also include direct access to
the underground pedestrian concourse that
links to the future VMC-Spadina subway station
and vivaNext rapidways at the Highway 7 West
vivastation.
vivanext.com
road closures, traffic shifts and night work
With large infrastructure projects,
at times, it is necessary to perform
work at night. For larger operations
located deep underground, it is
necessary to close lanes to keep
everyone safe and the project
moving along. This year, there have
been planned traffic shifts along
Highway 7, between Jane Street
and the CN Bridge. As construction
continues on the CN Bridge, traffic will remain shifted and lanes will continue to
be reduced to two lanes in each direction over the bridge.
your community liaison
Carrie Slattery
Community Liaison Specialist
Tel: 905.886.6767 ext 71129
Cell: 289.716.0091
Email: carrie.slattery@york.ca
safety first!
During construction, crossing at designated crosswalks
is more important than ever. Lane closures can change
frequently and when areas are blocked off, drivers must slow
down and pay close attention to signs and road markings so
they can drive safely. Even when crossing at a designated
crosswalk, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Be sure to look both ways and pay
attention to your surroundings.
project information office
For more information on the
vivaNext Highway 7 West
rapidways or the TYSSE project,
and to see maps and visuals,
visit our Project Information
Office at 7800 Jane Street
Hours: Mondays from 9am – 12
and Wednesdays from 2 – 6pm
shop local –
support Hwy 7
businesses
Your Highway 7 West businesses are open! During
construction, we and your local business owners want
to remind you to keep shopping and using services
along Highway 7. Let’s all continue to support each
other during this exciting period of growth and change.
vivanext.com