Toronto Lower Don Lands Redevelopment | ?m | ?s | Waterfront Toronto

[DSCToronto]

Spotted this in a report to TEYCC

https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-259388.pdf

Agenda Item History 2025.TE26.39

Agenda Item History 2025.TE26.39

secure.toronto.ca

View attachment 689344

Good find though I have STRONG doubts they can open the "Red Trail' in Q4 2025 and can see no way it will link to the Lower Don trail then due to work at the Ontario Line bridge and I agreed with @GameOnBrad that fixing up the temporary pale blue trail is not going to be too speedy (though these trails need no real 'foundation' so can be pushed through quite fast as laying asphalt is not difficult. We shall see, or not!

I looked at the full Report where is states:

"The remaining multi-use trail gap along Lake Shore Boulevard East, between the Don River Bridge and Cherry Street, will remain closed following completion of this project.

Waterfront Toronto has been directed to implement a communications/signage plan to advise people cycling that the trails do not continue beyond the west end of the bridge and how to navigate the broader area. New multi-use trails will be constructed west of the bridge as part of the Gardiner Section 5 and Lake Shore Boulevard East Reconfiguration project, expected to be completed in 2030. Staff are exploring opportunities to construct a temporary multi-use trail in 2026 to re-establish this connection in the interim and will report back to City Council with further details, as required."

In short - we will not see these links soon!

 

[DSCToronto]

I walked down, where it says the "Proposed Temporary Multi-Use Trail" today, to get to the bridge. Basically, I was walking on the curb most of the way. If they're going to do a trail there, there is going to be quite a bit of work needed. Old fences need to be taken down, mounds of earth need to be removed, leveling terrain, etc.

None of this is very difficult and these trails have no underground infrastructure or lighting but I agree will not happen overnight!

 

[myself]

Good find though I have STRONG doubts they can open the "Red Trail' in Q4 2025 and can see no way it will link to the Lower Don trail then due to work at the Ontario Line bridge and I agreed with @GameOnBrad that fixing up the temporary pale blue trail is not going to be too speedy (though these trails need no real 'foundation' so can be pushed through quite fast as laying asphalt is not difficult. We shall see, or not!

I looked at the full Report where is states:

"The remaining multi-use trail gap along Lake Shore Boulevard East, between the Don River Bridge and Cherry Street, will remain closed following completion of this project.

Waterfront Toronto has been directed to implement a communications/signage plan to advise people cycling that the trails do not continue beyond the west end of the bridge and how to navigate the broader area. New multi-use trails will be constructed west of the bridge as part of the Gardiner Section 5 and Lake Shore Boulevard East Reconfiguration project, expected to be completed in 2030. Staff are exploring opportunities to construct a temporary multi-use trail in 2026 to re-establish this connection in the interim and will report back to City Council with further details, as required."

In short - we will not see these links soon!

The colours are a bit challenging but the "Q42025" is for the "orange" trails, and the "red" trail is just listed as closed.

 

[DSCToronto]

The colours are a bit challenging but the "Q42025" is for the "orange" trails, and the "red" trail is just listed as closed.

You are right.

 

[GameOnBrad]

And I thought they were done with the old log style fence along the Don Roadway. Apparently, not. It's going up on both sides of the paved trail there (Likely because of the hydro towers as @DSCToronto mentioned earlier)

 

[GameOnBrad]

Don Roadway has lines now.

They are starting work in the south side of Lake Shore Blvd East, near the new bridge.

Carlaw northbound turning lane is paved and I think they just need to paint the lines.

Mixers are out in force as they pave the north bound turning lane at Lake Shore and Booth.

I stand corrected. The Lake Shore and Carlaw intersection part of the turning lane still needs to be done.

 

[GameOnBrad]

It looks like the Don Roadway is getting close to opening.

DR and Commissioners traffic lights are up and running again.

Benches are in...

And lots and LOTS of trucks. More than I have ever seen here before...

 

[Northern Light]

And I thought they were done with the old log style fence along the Don Roadway. Apparently, not. It's going up on both sides of the paved trail there (Likely because of the hydro towers as @DSCToronto mentioned earlier)

Ty for tracking this so well for us all.

As an FYI.....the 'log styled fence' is called post and paddle fencing.

This zoom on the above photo shows why.

The fences are 'plug and play'. The posts feature vertical slats in them that hold wood just a bit thicker than typical paddle. The the horizontal logs are winnowed to a paddle-shape at their ends and neatly fit into these slots with no cutting or bolts or nails required. They can balance properly without a paddle coming in from the other side, but with the latter, the two wedge into each other to form a snug fit that doesn't allow much movement.

Historically, these were of cedar which weathers really well. The colour fades to a more grey'ish tone as they age; but that takes many years. Today, they are also often made of pressure-treated pine, which doesn't last a lot longer, but does hold the more blond colouring for much longer.

There are other woods used sometimes, but typically elsewhere in North America, such as Cypress and Black Locust which are both more common in the U.S. South, while sometimes, you'll see Douglas Fir out on the west coast

Curious to me is how tall they chose to go with these.

A typical post-and-paddle set up is 2 paddles horizontally, and a taller, less common variation is 3 paddles; they've gone with 4 here. Very unusual.

It doesn't add much in the way of security from people; I wonder if this is to discourage deer from entering the roadway.

A deer can easily clear that height on a level approach with just a bit of room for the jump. But if there is topographical variation or fences close together, they might think better of it.

 

[GameOnBrad]

They have those fences on the north side as well. Snuck over through the muck.

Lake Shore East and DR, at the bridge.

Northeast side, where the bike lanes are going to be.

They are prepping for waaaaay more plants as well, on the north side of Lake Shore Blvd.

 

[DSCToronto]

Ty for tracking this so well for us all.

As an FYI.....the 'log styled fence' is called post and paddle fencing.

This zoom on the above photo shows why.

View attachment 692506

The fences are 'plug and play'. The posts feature vertical slats in them that hold wood just a bit thicker than typical paddle. The the horizontal logs are winnowed to a paddle-shape at their ends and neatly fit into these slots with no cutting or bolts or nails required. They can balance properly without a paddle coming in from the other side, but with the latter, the two wedge into each other to form a snug fit that doesn't allow much movement.

Historically, these were of cedar which weathers really well. The colour fades to a more grey'ish tone as they age; but that takes many years. Today, they are also often made of pressure-treated pine, which doesn't last a lot longer, but does hold the more blond colouring for much longer.

There are other woods used sometimes, but typically elsewhere in North America, such as Cypress and Black Locust which are both more common in the U.S. South, while sometimes, you'll see Douglas Fir out on the west coast

Curious to me is how tall they chose to go with these.

A typical post-and-paddle set up is 2 paddles horizontally, and a taller, less common variation is 3 paddles; they've gone with 4 here. Very unusual.

It doesn't add much in the way of security from people; I wonder if this is to discourage deer from entering the roadway.

A deer can easily clear that height on a level approach with just a bit of room for the jump. But if there is topographical variation or fences close together, they might think better of it.

Having wooden (no-conductive) fencing directly below power lines is, apparently, a requirement. I suppose that if the lines ever fell and landed on a metal fence, a good stretch of the fence would become live. Not sure deer-proofing is the aim here, but it's nice thought!

 

[Northern Light]

Having wooden (no-conductive) fencing directly below power lines is, apparently, a requirement. I suppose that if the lines ever fell and landed on a metal fence, a good stretch of the fence would become live. Not sure deer-proofing is the aim here, but it's nice thought!

The reference to deer proofing was about the height of the fence rather than the material.

 

[DSCToronto]

The reference to deer proofing was about the height of the fence rather than the material.

Yes, I understood that but I doubt there would be any wood fence if it was not obligatory and, from the (excellent) photos, it appears the adjacent metal fencing is actually higher. (and, now I visited the area, I can see that the wooden fence is not an 'enclosure' and is only one two sides.

 

[globalexpress]

Just looking out on this gorgeous 1st of November morning ...

 

[GameOnBrad]

I neglected to post these on Saturday. Standing in the intersection of Lake Shore Blvd and Booth Avenue.

Facing West towards the new bridge.

Facing East towards Carlaw.

 

[DSCToronto]