Dunn Dowling Bridge Replacement Study

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

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.

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 Blvd. West.

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 between Springhurst Avenue and Gardiner Expressway Ramp.
Rendering of New Dunn Avenue 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 between Dowling Avenue, over the railway and Gardiner Expressway to Lakeshore Blvd. West.
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 for Dowling Bridge. Rendering of future public space, level with bridge and existing sidewalk, no stairs.
Option 1. Rendering of future public space, level with bridge and existing sidewalk, no stairs.
Option 2 for Dowling Bridge. Rendering of future public space, level with bridge, with stairs and sloped pathway connection to existing sidewalk.
Option 2. Rendering of future public space, level with bridge, with stairs and sloped pathway connection to existing sidewalk.

Public consultation on new public space at the Dowling Avenue Bridge (north landing area) took place in 2023.

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.

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

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Personal information is collected under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. The information is used to allow the City to send you emails about project updates and future consultation opportunities. Questions about this collection may be directed to the Manager, Public Consultation at 416-392-2990 or tracy.manolakakis@toronto.ca