What are we building?

In addition to creating a naturalized river valley—which, in itself, is a historic and significant undertaking—a crucial part of this project involves building new public spaces, roads and bridges and utilities, as well as structures to control water flow and manage sediment and debris.

The work we need to do as part of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project can be grouped into four larger categories: parks, earthworks/flood protection, bridges, and roads and municipal infrastructure.

Parks

In addition to the naturalized area within the new river valley and Don Greenway, the design includes more traditionally programmed parkland. This parkland includes parks along the new river, and what we called Promontory Parks North and South, which have been designed to include a variety of spaces, some for activities and some for relaxation.

While we conceptualized and built these spaces as separate work packages, ultimately they will come together to form one big park, named Biidaasige Park. In total, we’ll build over 11 hectares of parkland. Take a look at the transformation in store for the Port Lands.

Promontory Park

Promontory Park is on the west side of the island, west of Cherry Street. As part of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project, we’re building the south portion of this park and have designed the northern portion.

River Park

River park is the park on either side of the river between the Cherry Street south bridge and the Keating Channel. It includes recreational trails, picnic areas, dog off-leash areas and a playground.

 

Earthworks/Flood Protection

Cherry Street Stormwater and Lakefilling

Lakefilling around Essroc Quay was done to support the realignment of Cherry Street and create the foundation for Promontory Park. This became the northwest corner of the new island. We also created coves along the new shoreline where fish can find food and shelter and small boats can launch.

As part of this project, we built wetlands, aquatic habitat and natural coastline features. To increase the aquatic diversity in the area, we established a habitat where fish like to live by growing plants they like to eat. It is the only natural shoreline in Toronto’s Inner Harbour.

Construction started on Cherry Street Lakefilling in winter 2017 was completed in March 2020.

Polson Slip Naturalization

This area is on the north side of the Polson Slip.

The north side of Polson Slip will become part of the naturalized river valley. The wall of the slip was reinforced so that it can withstand fast-flowing waters during a major storm.

River Valley Naturalization Area

This area is the new river that flows between the Keating Channel and Polson Slip and surrounding wetlands.

We’ve created a new one kilometre river valley as a new outlet through which the Don River can flow. The banks of this river valley are reinforced to withstand fast-flowing waters during a major storm. A naturalized river mouth will be part of a renewed ecological system of coastal wetlands and meadows. In total, we’re creating 25 hectares of lush greenspace and parkland as part of this project, including these wetlands.

Don Greenway (Spillway & Wetland)

The Don Greenway is directly south of where the river curves to the west. It spans the space between the Ship Channel and new river park. It is roughly the width of the river valley further north where it meets the Keating Channel.

The Don Greenway will be a new secondary outlet for the Don River. During very large floods, water from the Don River will flow through the Don Greenway into the existing Ship Channel. In normal conditions, the wetlands in the Don Greenway will be sustained by water from the Ship Channel.

Sediment and Debris Management Area

This area is on the northwest corner of where the Don River meets the Keating Channel, north of Lake Shore Boulevard and south of Corktown Common.

Sediment and debris need to be removed regularly from the Don River to keep water flowing safely through the river valley, reduce the impact of flooding and maintain safe navigation in the inner harbour. Currently, Ports Toronto dredges mud, silt and larger debris from the Keating Channel. To allow water to flow under the Lake Shore Bridge during a major flood, we need to widen and deepen the Don River upstream of this bridge. This will slow down the water, releasing more sand and silt onto the river bed. To address this, we are moving dredging operations and debris management north of Lake Shore.

Villiers Island Grading

This area is the middle of the new island, in the area that is not set to become new parks.

To flood protect the Port Lands, the majority of land within the Don River’s floodplain will be raised by a minimum of one to three metres. As part of this project, we’re designing grading for all sites in the area, including the new island. As development progresses in the Port Lands, it will be the future developers’ responsibility to re-grade their individual sites.

 

Bridges and Structures

Cherry Street Bridge North

This bridge is on the newly aligned Cherry Street, across the Keating Channel.

There are two new bridges at this location, one of which will be dedicated to Light Rail Transit (LRT) in the future. The other carries vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Cherry Street Bridge South

This bridge is on Cherry Street between Polson Street and Commissioners Street, over what was the Polson Slip and now serves as the new mouth of the Don River.

We designed this bridge to accommodate the higher, faster waters expected to flow beneath it during a major storm.

Commissioners Street Bridge

This bridge is on Commissioners Street between Don Roadway and Munition Street, across the new river valley.

We designed this bridge to accommodate the higher, faster waters expected to flow beneath it during a major storm. The sidewalk also features some wider areas meant to provide a lookout over the new river valley.

Lake Shore Boulevard East Bridge over the Don River

The existing bridge at Lake Shore Boulevard and Don Roadway and the adjacent rail bridge act as a pinch point. This restricts the flow of water, increasing flood risks. By extending the Lake Shore Bridge at its west end, we are creating a wider opening over the Keating Channel. This will allow higher, faster water to flow safely through the channel during major storms. This work has been combined with the City of Toronto’s Gardiner East project, into what we’ve called the Lake Shore Boulevard East Project.

 

Roads and Municipal Infrastructure

Site-Wide Municipal Infrastructure

We created new systems and extended existing systems. This includes utilities like hydro, lighting, gas and telecommunications. A new water distribution network will connect future communities to the existing municipal water mains. A new municipal sanitary sewer network and pumping station will carry wastewater from future communities to the Ashbridges Bay treatment facility. And a new stormwater system will manage rainwater during major storms.

Don Roadway

Don Roadway is north/south street on the east side of the Don River. It runs south of Lake Shore Boulevard to Commissioners Street.

We’re rebuilding the Don Roadway between Commissioners Street and Lake Shore Boulevard at a higher elevation to protect the lands east of the road from flooding during a major storm. The new road will include two vehicular travel lanes and sidewalks on each side.

Cherry Street Realignment

The new Cherry Street alignment continues directly south from Cherry Street north of Lake Shore Boulevard (rather than its former location further east).

The new Cherry Street includes sidewalks, multi-use trail, a future dedicated transit lane and two lanes of vehicular traffic. It was built approximately 50 metres west of the old Cherry Street to preserve the heritage structures located on either side of the old street. The old Cherry Street alignment has been renamed Ookwemin Street.

Commissioners Street

Commissioners Street is the main east-west road on the island, starting at the new alignment of Cherry Street and continuing east.

Commissioners Street was maintained in its original alignment but widened to accommodate dedicated transit and cycling lanes. In addition to a sidewalk on the north side, we built a pedestrian pathway along the southern side of the street, which borders the northern edge of River Park.