[Metroscapes]

It seems people on this forum might know.... did Metrolinx "make building the pedestrian tunnel difficult" and if so, how so? Clearly if it wasn't for Metrolinx and the existence of a rail corridor the project would have been done quicker... the existence of a river probably made building the path take longer too with the damned TCRA and their need to have rivers.

The original designs contemplated during the EA stage contemplated tunnels and an at-grade crossing. Metrolinx said no and insisted all crossing were bridges. After public appeals and some back-and-forth between the City / TRCA and Metrolinx, we landed at the configuration we saw today. That flipflopping and redesign cost a lot of time and money.

Then there was the actual design approvals. The construction updates over the past 5 years specifically state that construction (which was delayed repeatedly) was pending "agreements with Metrolinx", "work[ing] with Metrolinx to secure final approval", and 'securing track closures' for construction. How much of this was Metrolinx and how much of it was project mismanagement and/or difficulty working with utilities will probably never be known with certainty, but Metrolinx was the common denominator with a bad track record.

 

[turbanplanner]

 

[DSCToronto]

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Wrong thread! This is the East Don Trail project thread and your photo, welcome though it is, is of Lower Don Trail. They have been painting and repairing that (and other bridges) for ages and good to see the painting if not the trail work is moving towards completion.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

Michael Lo shared this pic in the "Cycling in Toronto" Facebook group last Thursday of the south bridge approach.

Not sure what the progress has been on the north side, but would be great to get an idea on how much more remains for the bridge approaches before the temporary bridge can be removed and paving can begin the rest of the way to Forks of the Don.

 

[Carpe Diem]

Michael Lo shared this pic in the "Cycling in Toronto" Facebook group last Thursday of the south bridge approach.

Not sure what the progress has been on the north side, but would be great to get an idea on how much more remains for the bridge approaches before the temporary bridge can be removed and paving can begin the rest of the way to Forks of the Don.

The north side bridge approach is all installed on footings. They need to weld on the planks and sides. Everything was staged to start the south side as seen in that photo. A bunch of work still to be done, but in the grand scheme of things, they are closing in on finishing this bridge.
Planting, seating, and water management work further up the trail is done and looks great. The trail is brilliant, I've done it with the kids a few times now.

 

[TwoWheelPoli]

The north side bridge approach is all installed on footings. They need to weld on the planks and sides. Everything was staged to start the south side as seen in that photo. A bunch of work still to be done, but in the grand scheme of things, they are closing in on finishing this bridge.
Planting, seating, and water management work further up the trail is done and looks great. The trail is brilliant, I've done it with the kids a few times now.

Thanks. I'll probably go by the area again near the end of September to check in on things. So close, yet so far.

 

[pawlyshyn]

I took a look today, and here's how the north side looks. Nothing happening yet on the south side. The workers were just wrapping up and one predicted it'll take "a few more months."