Coming Soon: Pedestrian and Cycling Improvements for Queens Quay East!

This rendering of the interim improvements for East Bayfront shows the new sidewalk and extension of the Martin Goodman Trail that will soon connect the eastern part of the waterfront to points east and west.

POSTED: AUGUST 29, 2014
BY: SAMANTHA GILENO

Good news for walkers and cyclists! Next week, we will begin construction on a series of interim improvements that will create better pedestrian and cycling connections across the emerging East Bayfront neighbourhood. These interim improvements lay the groundwork for extending our full vision for Queens Quay to the eastern portion of our main waterfront street.

First, for cyclists, the Martin Goodman Trail will be extended east along the south side of Queens Quay from Lower Jarvis to Parliament Street. Once this separated stretch of Martin Goodman Trail is in place, the road will be re-painted and the on-street bike lanes removed. By Spring 2015, when both this project and the revitalization of Queens Quay are complete, there will be a safe, off-street Martin Goodman Trail from Bathurst Street all the way to Parliament Street.
 
Several improvements are also planned for pedestrians. At the Jarvis Slip, crews will finish installing granite pavers next to the 7.4-metre-long stretch of promenade Waterfront Toronto opened last summer. This work could not be completed until Hydro completed its infrastructure upgrade in the area. In addition, the current asphalt sidewalk between Jarvis Street and Parliament Street will be replaced with a wider, concrete sidewalk. The sidewalk will be separated from the Martin Goodman Trail by landscaping including fast-growing trees, shrubs and flowers. New benches and bike rings will be installed along the way for those who want to stop and explore the waterfront. Pedestrians will also benefit from a new north-south crosswalk planned along the east side of the Parliament/Lake Shore intersection. This new crosswalk will make it easier and safer to walk to communities just to the north, including the Distillery District and St Lawrence neighbourhoods.
 
These new pieces of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure build on the work previously completed between Yonge Street and Lower Jarvis Street. It’s all part of setting the stage for our long-term revitalization plans for Queens Quay, which call for a south side promenade and Martin Goodman Trail.

Before (top photo), the curb and sidewalk between Yonge Street and Lower Jarvis Street were in terrible condition. In some places, there was no sidewalk at all and bicycle lanes were non-existent. This portion of interim sidewalk and multi-use trail opened in the summer of 2013 (bottom photo). 

At left, a view of the stretch of Queens Quay East between Lower Jarvis and Parliament. Continuing this work creates better connections for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as a more inviting environment for the emerging East Bayfront neighbourhood.

When complete next spring, the interim sidewalk and trail will greatly improve connectivity in East Bayfront and the landscaping will help beautify the area while the new neighborhood continues to be built out.

The majority of construction will take place south of the roadway. However, during some phases of construction, the eastbound bicycle lane will be obstructed requiring motorists and cyclists to share the travel lane. Construction crews will begin to mobilize during the week of September 2 – in the area between Lower Jarvis Street and Dockside Drive – and expect to start work the same week. The Queens Quay entrance to Sugar Beach will be closed for about a month. During that time, access to the park will be from Dockside Dr.

If you would like to receive regular construction updates for this project, please send an email to info@waterfrontoronto.ca and request to be added to the East Bayfront construction notice list.