Metrolinx and York Region are getting ready to build a rapidway — bus-only lanes in the centre of the roadway — along Highway 7 West in Vaughan. Contractors are already building similar bus rapid transit lanes along Highway 7 East in Markham and Richmond Hill and Davis Drive in Newmarket.
Vaughan’s rapidway will feature 13 new vivastations and extend 15.9 kilometres from Yonge Street, past Highway 400 to Helen Street. Contractors will build the rapidway construction in two phases. They’ll start with the section Edgeley Boulevard to just east of Keele Street at Bowes Road, in the centre of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre development area.
Metrolinx and York will complete this first phase in conjunction with TTC’s project to extend the Spadina branch of the 1 Yonge - University - Spadina subway from Downsview Station to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. The TTC plans to open the new section of subway in 2016, including a new subway station west of Jane Street on the north side of Highway 7.
They plan to finish Phase 2 of construction by 2018. This part of the project includes rapidways on Highway 7 between Helen and Yonge Streets, including parts of Bathurst and Centre Streets.
You can find out more during two upcoming open houses. Drop by to look at maps and plans and ask project staff questions about the project. The events take place Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28.
In West Vaughan the event takes place:
Tuesday, November 27
From 4 until 8 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn Toronto / Vaughan
3201 Highway 7 WestGetting there by public transit
- Westbound Brampton Transit buses operating along the 501 Züm Main route and York Region Transit buses operating along the Viva orange route to Vaughan Corporate Centre vivastation, beside the hotel.
- Eastbound Brampton Transit buses operating along the 501 Züm Main route and York Region Transit buses operating along the Viva orange route to Vaughan Corporate Centre vivastation. Cross Interchange Way to the hotel.
- Southbound YRT buses operating along the 20 Jane / Concord route to Edgeley Boulevard and Highway 7. Cross Highway 7 and Interchange Way to the hotel.
- Northbound YRT buses operating along the 20 Jane / Concord route to Interchange Way and Highway 7. Cross Interchange Way to the hotel.
- Eastbound YRT buses operating along the the 77 Highway 7 / Centre route to Highway 7 and Interchange Way. Cross Interchange Way to the hotel.
- Westbound YRT buses operating along the 77 Highway 7 / Centre route to Highway 7 and Edgeley Boulevard. Cross Highway 7 to the hotel.
In East Vaughan, the event takes place:
Wednesday, November 27
From 4 until 8 p.m.
City Playhouse,
1000 New Westminster Drive.Getting there by public transit:
- Northbound TTC buses operating along the 160 Bathurst North route to New Westminster Drive and Bathurst Street. Cross New Westminster, then walk half block west.
- Southbound YRT buses operating along the 3 Thornhill - York U route to the door.
- Northbound buses operating along the 3 Thornhill - York U route to New Westminster Drive and Bathurst Street. Cross New Westminster, then walk half block west.
- Southbound YRT buses operating along the 23 Thornhill Woods and 88 Bathurst routes to New Westminster Drive. Walk half block west.
- Northbound YRT buses operating along the 23 Thornhill Woods and 88 Bathurst routes to Atkinson Avenue. Cross Atkinson and Bathurst Street, then walk half block west.