[Northern Light]

Thanks for asking and passing along the response.

@DSCToronto deserves the applause, his diligence on many files is commendable and it does make a difference to many.

If we were building a skyscraper on a cliff I would understand the need for repeated, careful geotechnical studies. But this is a pedestrian/bike ramp. The city built a staircase right there that has stood the test of time. What could possibly be the geotechnical problem that adds at least two summer months to getting the last ten feet or so done? I just don't understand.

I can't speak with insider knowledge here, on the latest snafu.

In general, geo-techical conditions here will refer to soil stability and the risk of shifting or subsidence that could cause damage to, or in a worst case, collapse the structure being built.

This can occur due to soil type (some soils are loose, or are prone to losing cohesion in certain conditions), and/or saturation, which is a likely concern in a floodplain, beside a river.

My problem here is not the testing per se, that's logical enough to do; but that it should be done prior to the project starting construction, or even detailed design and be done properly the first time such that no further testing is required.

Clearly something went very wrong here, more than once.

What I find so ridiculous is that they seemed to find the fact that the river bank was unstable a surprise. A child of 5 could have seen sections of it washing away and erosion on river banks is normal. I have suggested that Councillor Moise & Fletcher and Mayor Chow ask the City's Auditor General should look t the 'planning process' in Parks - it is clearly VERY deficient!

Excellent idea! Do keep us apprised on uptake.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

I wrote and asked the latest Manager of this disgracefully slow project, she has responded. I assume she means 2026 but I have been wrong before...

View attachment 744895

At the rate things are going, the Lower Don project could take even more time than even the East Don Trail Phase 1!

 

[Admiral Beez]

At the rate things are going, the Lower Don project could take even more time than even the East Don Trail Phase 1!

I think it's perfectly reasonable to now expect this project to open sometime in 2027. Judging by the seemingly derelict, unstaffed status of the Riverdale bridge and path to Dundas, this is clearly a meeting of low city priority and unplanned issues. It's almost July with no apparent work being done since the ramp was partially assembled in April-May. It will take at least 30-60 days to complete any soil studies and for the consultant engineers to recommend a mitigation plan. Then another 60-90 days to execute that plan and shore up the soil and shoreline, after which the work on the ramp and the walking path from Riverdale to Corktown can continue for the final 30-60 days before completion - which puts us square in the middle of winter 2026-27. The city will then want to wait to see how the thaw goes in the spring of 2027, and after 30-60 days of testing and measuring the Lower Don Trail will finally open somewhere between March and June 2027. Just in time to close the trail from Pottery Rd to Edwards Gardens, for whatever reason.

 

[just east of the creek]

In Montreal at present. Not sure if either TO or MTL does traffic studies on the numbers of bicycle type conveyances using the bike lanes, but as a Bixi rider just following my guide to varying destinations, anecdotally I would say that there are 'fleets' of Montrealer's out using the bike lanes -Numbers would be interesting. And why is that? Just a better network of inviting separated bike lanes? A culture thing? The sheer joy of enjoying summer after a long winter? Better respect for pedestrians and cyclists reflected in tougher and more comprehensive driving laws e.g. no right turns on red which I highly approve of. A sense that pedestrians and cyclists are at least equal to or ranked of more importance then cars - not such a bad thing in itself. And I am sure MTL is not perfect from a pedestrian and cycling perspective. But it does seem to be advanced over Toronto, perhaps significantly advanced.

Now if they could just make the saddle on those Bixi's more like a cushioned bar stool, we might really be onto something.

 

[UntitledCyclist]

What I find so ridiculous is that they seemed to find the fact that the river bank was unstable a surprise. A child of 5 could have seen sections of it washing away and erosion on river banks is normal. I have suggested that Councillor Moise & Fletcher and Mayor Chow ask the City's Auditor General should look at the 'planning process' in Parks - it is clearly VERY deficient!

Not an engineer... but wasn't a primary rationale for this renewal project that the trail had been so badly worn and washed away by repeated floods and erosion? The ramp and new stairs were great elements, but it's as if these were being dealt with by totally siloed teams who had no idea what the other was doing. The seems hard to believe, but how else to explain the constant unsurprising "surprises?"

While we fight tooth and nail for existing and planned bike projects in the Ford era, we have lost long-term access to so many off-street trails: from the West Toronto Railpath (which appears likely to reopen soon after years of delay) to the closure of the Betty Sutherland Trail, to the LDT debacle and the long-term shuttering of the Lakeshore East Trail and the bridge over the Don nearby. The Rouge Beach closure another one that makes riding in that area less appealing or safe. Most of these are due to provincial led Metrolinx or MTO contracts, so there is little the city can do but be a victim.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

Not an engineer... but wasn't a primary rationale for this renewal project that the trail had been so badly worn and washed away by repeated floods and erosion? The ramp and new stairs were great elements, but it's as if these were being dealt with by totally siloed teams who had no idea what the other was doing. The seems hard to believe, but how else to explain the constant unsurprising "surprises?"

While we fight tooth and nail for existing and planned bike projects in the Ford era, we have lost long-term access to so many off-street trails: from the West Toronto Railpath (which appears likely to reopen soon after years of delay) to the closure of the Betty Sutherland Trail, to the LDT debacle and the long-term shuttering of the Lakeshore East Trail and the bridge over the Don nearby. The Rouge Beach closure another one that makes riding in that area less appealing or safe. Most of these are due to provincial led Metrolinx or MTO contracts, so there is little the city can do but be a victim.

Rouge Beach is federal, but still frustrating regarding all those trail closures and lack of acceptable detours.

 

[TwinHuey]

Pickering City Council voted in favour of a motion on Monday urging Parks Canada to reopen that Rouge River bridge connecting Pickering to Toronto.

https://www.insauga.com/parks-canada-asked-to-take-immediate-steps-to-reopen-rouge-river-pedestrian-bridge-into-toronto/

Taking the Waterfront Trail east to Pickering has always been one of our favourite rides, so I've been disappointed that the Rouge bridge has been closed. Being curious, I took a few drone shots today to see how work has been progressing.

There doesn't appear to be any bridge work underway. That said the bridge remains closed, there are clearly no trespassing signs posted at the entrance. The official detour gets you through but it requires cyclists to ride along busy Kingston Road in traffic. Ugh.

The bridge is currently scheduled to reopen in 2027. Here's hoping they can meet that target and restore this important trail connection.

Bulletins

parks.canada.ca

 

[UntitledCyclist]

Rouge Beach is federal, but still frustrating regarding all those trail closures and lack of acceptable detours.

like I said, most But thanks for clarifying! Toronto is still the helpless party.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

As posted in the "Don Mills Crossing" thread, I got the below update from the cycling and pedestrian unit about that project.

The detailed design and construction of the Don Mills Crossing bridge is the responsibility of the developer of the Celestica site, with the City reviewing and approving designs at key milestones. Staff from several divisions within the City are currently reviewing a detailed design submission received earlier this spring. Comments provided by the City to the developer on the design must be addressed before the City can share an update on the Don Mills Crossing Trail Bridge project page. The developer will continue to work on the detailed design and on securing necessary rail authority permits this year and late into 2028. The City expects that a public update would be ready to share later this summer with more details that will include renderings and anticipated timelines.