The York Region Rapid Transit Viva is the first rapid transit system of its kind in the Greater Toronto area. The project was awarded through a custom-developed, design-build contract negotiated between the joint venture led by Peter Kiewit Sons Co., a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation and York Region Rapid Transit Corporation.
The first phase of the program, Quick Start, was launched in September 2005. Phase I consisted of six routes covering more than 100 kilometers of roadway. Safety of the traveling public and workers was a priority during construction as the buses traveled over some of the most congested streets in the York Region.
The design-build team developed innovative design solutions to meet the project's technological challenges, including real-time electronic bus arrival displays, transit signal priority to adjust signal timing for buses behind schedule and a computer-aided dispatch transit control center with GPS. Heritage versions of the shelters and fare equipment were designed to preserve the integrity of historic districts. Phase I of the first rapid transit system had to be designed, procured, tested, commissioned and integrated with existing transit components in less than 18 months. The project was awarded the 2006 Design-Build Excellence award (transportation over $50 million) by the Design-Build Institute of America and the Public Works Project for 2006 award (transportation over $10 million) by the Ontario Public Works Association.