The City of Toronto is conducting a Bridge Replacement Feasibility Study for the Dunn Avenue and Dowling Avenue Bridges. These bridges are nearing the end of their service life and need to be replaced in the next two to three years.
The study will identify a preferred type of bridge and alignment for each of these important connections to the city’s waterfront. The study is considering how the design of the bridge replacements can:
Support best value for money and contribute to waterfront revitalization
Provide a high-quality pedestrian and cycling experience
Respond to cultural heritage needs in the area
Create a new public space at the Downing Avenue bridge landing area north of the GO Transit line
Project Area
The Dunn and Dowling Avenue Bridges are located in Parkdale-High Park with the Parkdale neighbourhood to the north, Exhibition Place to the east and the Lake Ontario Waterfront to the south. Both bridges cross over the Metrolinx/GO Transit rail corridor. The Dowling Avenue Bridge also crosses the Gardiner Expressway to lead pedestrians and cyclists to the Martin Goodman Trail south of Lake Shore Boulevard West.
Proposed Changes for Dunn Bridge
The feasibility study explores the following changes to the Dunn Avenue bridge:
Replacement of the bridge with a through-plate girder type bridge on the same alignment that exists today
Widening the bridge to maximize use of available public property to allow space for pedestrian and cycling improvements including:
Sidewalks on both sides of the bridge
Two-way (bi-directional) cycle track on west side of bridge, physically separated from vehicles
New lookout areas on north and south sides of the bridge with views toward the lake
Improving safety and accessibility at Dunn Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd with a conversion to a T-intersection
Adding a new multi-use path connection between Dunn Avenue and Jameson Avenue on the north side Lake Shore Boulevard West (feasibility still to be confirmed).
Rendering of New Dunn Avenue Bridge.
Proposed Changes for Dowling Bridge
As part of the feasibility study for the Dowling Avenue Bridge, the City reviewed four different alignments and explores the following changes to the bridge:
Recommendation for a through-plate girder bridge for the span over the rail corridor and a truss bridge for the span over the Gardiner Expressway
Widening the bridge to 5.0 metres to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists only
Adjusting the alignment to be a straight connection between Dowling Avenue and the pedestrian crossing at Lake Shore Blvd. West.
Shorter span over the railway and most direct path of travel
New intermediate pier and a longer span over the Gardiner Expressway to meet required clearance requirements.
New public space at the Dowling Avenue Bridge
Rendering for New Dowling Avenue Bridge. Note: Pending grading details, an alternate option for the public space has also been developed and is shown below.
New Public Space at the Dowling Avenue Bridge
The new public space is a small area that provides improved access to the bridge from the existing sidewalk. Design options for the new public space developed to date accommodate opportunities for:
Seating, lookouts and rest areas
Plantings and naturalized features
Cycling amenities including bike parking and bike repair station
Enhanced features such has special lighting and paving materials
Access to the bridge (i.e., grade or slope of pavement) will also be informed by the design details that are still to be developed for the new Dowling Avenue bridge.
Design options for Dowling Avenue Bridge North Landing Area
The conceptual designs for the New Public Space show two options to access the new bridge.
Option 1. Rendering of future public space, level with bridge and existing sidewalk, no stairs.Option 2. Rendering of future public space, level with bridge, with stairs and sloped pathway connection to existing sidewalk.
Consultation
Feedback
The online feedback survey regarding new public space at the Dowling Avenue Bridge (north landing area) closed on June 14, 2023. A summary of feedback received will be available shortly.
This study is a unique opportunity for the community to provide feedback that will be used to improve the urban form in the area.
Broader public consultation on the designs for both the Dunn and Dowling Avenue will take place in the next phase of the project early in 2024.
Public feedback, along with technical considerations and City policies and guidelines will be considered in decisions to be made by staff and City Council.
