The King-Liberty Pedestrian Cycle Bridge over the Metrolinx Kitchener / Milton Rail Corridor spans from Douro Street to the western leg of Western Battery Road. This new bridge provides a convenient and more direct route from Liberty Village to King Street West between Atlantic Avenue and Strachan Avenue.
The bridge design includes the following:
The location and general design of the bridge was endorsed by City Council in December 2011.
Metrolinx requires two metre high barrier walls on this bridge because it extends across the rail corridor. The proposed design includes a roof, which will minimize the need for winter maintenance and provide greater comfort for bridge users in inclement weather.
Ramps were considered in the 2011 Class Environmental Assessment Study, but were not recommended for several reasons. As documented in the 2011 staff report to Council (item PW9.6)
“A ramp even at the maximum grade (1 in 12) would be over 100 m long (particularly on the north side of the crossing) and hence unattractive to its users, visually obtrusive (conflicting with the urban design objectives for the area), and difficult to keep clear of ice and snow at all times. A large ramp structure would impinge on Douro Street and require removal of trees, while hampering future efforts to introduce a multi-use pathway along the rail corridor.”
The approved design includes elevators and stairs, which have the following advantages:
The personal security measures for the King Liberty Bridge structure, elevators and stairs will include:
The City will carry out regular maintenance on the bridge, including snow clearance at the approaches, removal of garbage and regular cleaning. Routine inspections of the bridge will also be carried out and rehabilitation scheduled on an as needed basis.
The bridge will be available for 24-hour use with lighting and security cameras.
No active heating or air-cooling will provided in the pedestrians pathways or elevators. Openings will be provided for passive air circulation in the stairs and bridge deck passage way.
The City undertook a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment study to address the need for a pedestrian and cycling connection between Western Battery Road and Duoro Street.
On November 29, 2011, City Council authorized staff to issue a Notice of Completion for this study.
The approved design is a bridge spanning the rail corridor between the west end of Douro Street and the west end of Western Battery Road. In order for the bridge to be fully accessible to all users, stairs and an elevator are recommended at each end.
An Environmental Assessment Study report documents the planning and decision making process for arriving at the preferred solution.
See the King-Liberty Pedestrian Cycle Bridge Environmental Assessment