Bus lanes on schedule but still causing grief
Amid conflicts and complaints, rapidways make progress

Thornhill Post
January, 2014
By Bree Rody-Mantha

York Region’s efforts to widen Highway 7 to make way for rapidways — dedicated bus lanes to connect residents of York Region to rapid transit — is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. Representatives from vivaNext, York Region and local councils are remaining positive that the project is running on time, despite several complaints about planning. The most obvious complaint is that of congestion.

“There’s no question that building major infrastructure is a great imposition,” said councillor Alan Shefman. “It’s going to take a couple years to go through this process.”

“The rapidways remain on schedule and projects are proceeding well,” said Dale Albers, chief communications officer of vivaNext.

Recently, a grassroots effort from the Beverley Glen Ratepayers Association (BGRA) opposing the section of the route along Bathurst Street and Centre Street arose but was met with opposition from local councillors.

The BGRA refers to this part of the route as a “diversion,” but Shefman insists it has been part of plans all along.

“Early on in the process, [the region] did an environmental assessment, and the option that was ultimately approved was the one that went down Bathurst and across Centre Street,” said Shefman. “It’s the route that was planned.” He said the BGRA’s opposition is not representative of the whole community’s opinions. “It’s driven by [this] tiny little group when really there are many people who are so happy that there’s rapid transit coming.”

With another few years remaining on construction, some sections of Highway 7 have finally opened up all lanes. “It’s exciting to see the section that already opened [last] year between Bayview and the 404,” said Albers.

There’s still adjustments pedestrians have to make. “It’s just getting the public to understand that there’s mid-block crossing,” said Ken Turrif, communications specialist with York Region, who said that pedestrians are still getting accustomed to having to cross the street in two stages. “We have to provide that support.”