Required road reconstruction and watermain replacement in Kensington Market presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redesign the streets in a way that puts pedestrians first, while supporting local businesses. After extensive feedback from local stakeholders and the public, the City is recommending a flexible design that will prioritize pedestrians while accommodating slow speed vehicle access for local residents and enhancing loading opportunities for businesses.
The staff report for this project was adopted with amendments by Toronto and East York Community Council on June 22, 2023. See details under agenda item TE6.54.
Construction is expected to start in Spring 2027 and will take 1-2 years.
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December 16, 2024 Update:
In the last phase of public consultation in Spring 2023, the team presented a design that included many features for pedestrian priority and business deliveries. Following that phase of consultation, the design was modified based on community feedback and technical analysis. Many of the features that had been presented were maintained, but with some changes such as the use of asphalt paving in the roadways instead of pavers and maintaining curbs (i.e. no curbless street segments).
During the detailed design phase that followed, new stormwater hydraulic analysis determined that the planned road design changes could worsen current stormwater draining issues in the project area, potentially leading to more basement and overland flooding. To address this, City staff are working to update the design in a way that will balance pedestrian-friendly improvements to the design of sidewalks and roadways, while ensuring that flooding risks do not increase. Project development will continue through 2024 and 2025, as the project team works to refine the design.
The City is also coordinating its efforts with Toronto Hydro, which is planning hydro pole relocation on Augusta Avenue to meet new provincial standards.
Starting in 2026, staff will form and work closely with a local stakeholder committee to plan a pedestrianization pilot project in the area, to be implemented following construction.
We will continue to share updates with the community as the detailed design process moves forward.
Improvements are recommended on the following streets within the Kensington Market area:
After careful analysis and public consultation, the City is proposing the following final design for the streets:
The City will also pursue a pedestrianisation pilot project following construction. Staff will form and work closely with a local stakeholder committee to consult on, implement and evaluate a temporary pedestrianized zone in the Market. This will allow more time for consultation to determine the best balance for a pedestrianized zone in Kensington Market.
See further information:
Starting in 2026 City staff will form and work closely with a local stakeholder committee to consult on, implement and evaluate a temporary pedestrianized zone(s) within Kensington Market. Applications to join the committee will open in 2026.
The City will continue to engage with businesses and residents in the aim if minimizing impacts to the community during construction.
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Consultation was carried out from April 5, 2023 to May 23, 2023. Consultation activities included multiple stakeholder meetings, two all-day public drop-in events (attended by over 150 people), communications via email and telephone, and a survey (with over 1600 responses, including over 110 respondents who live/work/own on the affected streets.
The Public Consultation Report summarizes feedback received.
While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no translation or text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require translation, alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact us at 416-338-2830 or email KensingtonSafeStreets@toronto.ca
A Virtual Public Event was held on Monday, July 18, 2022.
A Virtual Public Event was held on Thursday, October 28, 2021.
While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no translation or text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require translation, alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact us at 416-338-2830 or email KensingtonSafeStreets@toronto.ca
State-of-good-repair work, including watermain replacements, road resurfacing, and road reconstruction, are urgently needed and scheduled along the following streets:
Specific construction schedules and temporary impacts will be published in notices to affected properties in the months and weeks prior to construction start in late 2026. Construction is expected to take 1-2 years.
This reconstruction work presents a once in a generation opportunity to redesign the streets for safety and public realm improvements for the next 50 to 100 years.
Kensington Market has long been valued as a cultural, community and commercial destination with high pedestrian traffic. During public consultations for this project, the City heard consistent requests to increase space for pedestrians and business loading and decrease space for on-street paid parking and driving.
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