Construction started on Cherry Street Lakefilling in winter 2017 was completed in March 2020. You can see the lakefilling area shaded in purple on the map below.
This project is one of many pieces that make up the Port Lands Flood Protection Project. Lakefilling created new land around Essroc Quay and stabilize the aging dock walls so that they don’t collapse in the event of surging water.
This work also makes it possible to realign Cherry Street and build a new, higher bridge over the Keating Channel. Right now, the Cherry Street Bridge creates a narrow point in the channel. In the event of a major storm the channel will likely get overwhelmed and flood. Realigning Cherry Street and rebuilding the Cherry Street Bridge will help stormwater flow more easily through the Keating Channel. See up to date images of progress on foundations for the new Cherry Street bridge here.
Watch a time lapse of the lakefilling from start to finish here.
As part of this project, we’re building wetlands, aquatic habitat and natural coastline features. To increase the aquatic diversity in the area, we are establishing a habitat where fish like to live by growing plants they like to eat. The land we’re creating is an important contributor this these new habitats. It will be the only natural shoreline in Toronto’s Inner Harbour and will also form the foundation for the future Promontory Park.
Learn more about nature and parks in the Port Lands here.
