One trail closure which has long frustrated cyclists in Toronto is that of the Lower Don Trail south of Pottery Road. It was originally supposed to reopen in Summer 2024, but after several missed deadlines, the City updated the project website in June stating they would pave and reopen the trail as soon as possible. The Riverdale Park ramp was deferred due to “unsuitable soil conditions” for building the foundation. This afternoon, I decided to check out the progress, as well as check some new developments at Biidaasige Park and along Lake Shore Boulevard.
A temporary trail diversion has been put in place along Queen’s Quay west of Parliament Street.
Saw some concrete blocks being put in place from the Cherry Street bridge. Please let me know in the comments if you know what they will be used for.
A ten-acre extension of Biidaasige Park is expected to open on July 25 per Waterfront Toronto. Here’s a photo of the park extension from Commissioners which is still fenced off.
And here’s another picture next to the mouth of the Don River.
A view of Biidaasige Park from underneath Cherry Street.
Looking south from Commissioners Street.
This trail next to Don Roadway from Commissioners to Lake Shore Boulevard was done last fall.
The Lake Shore Boulevard East Project from Don Roadway and Carlaw Avenue is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Here’s a photo of the sidewalk on the south side of the Don River crossing.
The Don Roadway and Lake Shore intersection got the protected intersection treatment.
Some young trees were planted along the new south side multi-use path on Lake Shore.
Not keen on how this crossing at McCleary Park was done given you have to curve right immediately after the crossing.
While multi-use paths can be found on both sides of Lake Shore from Don Roadway to Coxwell Avenue, one exception is the south side from Carlaw to Leslie which only has a sidewalk.
The recently rebuilt north side trail is more curvy and not as smooth as before, though there are lots of young trees planted.
At least three bike repair stands can be spotted along the north side of Lake Shore.
A multi-use path was installed on the north side of the Don River crossing, but it abruptly stops afterwards. Eventually, this trail should connect with the Lower Don Trail and Cherry Street, though work on rebuilding the Gardiner Expressway from Cherry Street to the Don Valley Parkway could complicate matters.
Back on Don Roadway where I could see a kayaker in the distance.
Getting onto the Lower Don Trail requires going to Corktown Common. The trail is blocked south of there for Ontario Line construction and isn’t expected to reopen anytime soon.
Despite the trail closure gate, you can still get around the fence next to the stairs on Queen Street.
One layer of asphalt has been put in from Queen to Dundas Streets, but another layer is still needed to be level with the existing trail.
The Lower Don Trail is gravel at Dundas where a new staircase with wheel ramps can be found.
Here’s the latest view of the incomplete ramp which would eventually connect the Riverdale Park Bridge to the Lower Don Trail.
The ramp will also have a viewing platform when it is open to the public.
This bridge marks the end of the construction zone.
Despite the trail closure, I noticed a lot of people ride on the Lower Don Trail. However, there are some spots between the bridge and the Bellevue Underpass which could use some resurfacing.
While it’s frustrating how the reopening of the Lower Don Trail has been at least two years behind schedule, at least it’s possible to go through. Will need to revisit this once the trail has been officially reopened.
I’ll close off this post with a recent video from Brian Tao about the Lower Don Trail closure.
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