King-Liberty Pedestrian/Cyclist Bridge

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:

  • A five-metre wide covered and mostly enclosed deck will span the entirety of the 55 metre wide Metrolinx rail corridor
  • Access provided by a staircase (with a bicycle channel) on each side, as well as elevators for barrier-free access
  • All passageways and approaches illuminated for 24 hour access
  • Security measures, such as closed-circuit cameras, open stairs (for visibility) and emergency call buttons
  • Public art

The location and general design of the bridge was endorsed by City Council in December 2011.

Further details on the bridge design, construction and public consultation history is available below.

View of the bridge from south side with stairs and elevators.

King Liberty Map of Study Area

The steel bridge structure was hoisted overnight on September 15, 2019.

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Design

Why the bridge design is mostly enclosed and covered

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.

Why the bridge design includes elevators and not ramps

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:

  • provides barrier-free access throughout the entire year.
  • Elevator eliminates the need for out-of-way travel and it is accessible for cyclists at all levels.
  • Requires the least amount of tree removal.
  • Poses minimal impact to possible future multi-use path on Douro Street.

See further details on the 2011 Class Environmental Assessment Study web page.

Security measures built into the design

The personal security measures for the King Liberty Bridge structure, elevators and stairs will include:

  • Use of glass walls for pedestrian visibility
  • Effective pedestrian lighting
  • Closed circuit security cameras
  • Emergency buttons in the elevators at strategic locations

Bridge Operations & Maintenance

Bridge maintenance

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.

Open overnight

The bridge will be available for 24-hour use with lighting and security cameras.

Heating or air-conditioning

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.

Public Consultation History

See the King-Liberty Pedestrian Cycle Bridge Environmental Assessment