The City of Toronto is carrying out Phases 3-4 of the Downsview Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study that will further develop the work started in Phases 1-2 as part of the Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP) completed in Spring 2024. Phases 3-4 will develop the recommended designs for major streets and municipal servicing infrastructure in the project area.

The EA Study is generally bounded by Keele Street, Sheppard Avenue West, Wilson Heights Road, and Wilson Avenue. The site includes the Downsview redevelopment area, Downsview Park, three TTC subway stations, one GO Transit station, and the GO Transit Barrie Corridor. 

Downsview Environmental Assessment Project Map

The EA Study will develop and evaluate designs for each of the major streets and municipal servicing infrastructure including: 

  • Two new north-south complete streets: 
    • Dufferin Street Extension (Wilson Avenue to Sheppard Avenue West) 
    • Billy Bishop Way Extension (Wilson Avenue to Sheppard Avenue West) 
  • Dedicated bus lanes along one of the north-south streets 
  • Two new east-west complete streets: 
    • Downsview Park Boulevard Extension (Stanley Greene Boulevard to Allen Road)  
    • Northern East/West Street (Keele Street to Sheppard Avenue West)   
  • Two underpasses crossing the GO Barrie Rail Line 
  • Dufferin Street Complete Street Upgrades from Wilson Avenue to Highway 401
  • Portions of the Green Spine, a 3 km active transportation and green infrastructure route 
  • Major municipal servicing infrastructure (water, sanitary and stormwater), including a new sanitary sewer through Downsview Park 

The Study follows the recommendations of the Downsview Secondary Plan and is being coordinated with related area projects including the ongoing Downsview Area District Plans, the Downsview Community Development Plan, York University & Downsview Cycling Connections, and the Yorkdale Transportation Master Plan.  

Process map for the Downsview Environmental Assessment Study

Public Consultation will take place over two stages:  

Stage 1: Study Recommendations on Dufferin Street Extension alignment at Wilson Avenue, Transit Road and Billy Bishop Way Extension alignments at Wilson Avenue, and the location of north-south Dedicated Bus Lanes (2025)

Stage 2: Recommended Designs of All Major Street and Servicing Infrastructure (2026)

More information will be added to this webpage and sent to the project email list in advance of upcoming consultation.  

Public feedback, along with technical considerations and City policies and guidelines, will be considered in decisions to be made by staff and City Council. 

In May 2024, Toronto City Council (see Item 2024.PH12.1) adopted the Update Downsview Phases 1-2 Environmental Assessment (EA) Study, also known as the Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP). The MESP recommended the general location and requirements for the preferred transportation network, and municipal servicing infrastructure (water, sanitary and stormwater) to support the existing and future needs of the Downsview redevelopment area. The full version of the MESP is currently available through the City’s Application Information Centre under ‘Supporting Documentation.’ 

Some of the infrastructure identified through the MESP will be further developed through the ongoing Downsview Area District Plan process, including local and collector streets, and active transportation bridges. 

Major transportation and servicing infrastructure requires further development through the Phase 3-4 EA Study. 

Stay Informed

Email DownsviewEA@toronto.ca to sign up to the project emailing list and receive project updates.