Downtown to Port Lands: Federal government invests in pedestrian bridge to span Toronto's Keating Channel

TORONTO, May 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Spanning the Keating Channel, the accessible Keating Channel pedestrian bridge will link Toronto's mainland to what is currently known as "Villiers Island." Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin announced an investment of $9 million by the federal government toward the design and construction of the bridge. PS  Dabrusin was also joined by the project partners, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and Waterfront Toronto Board Chair Jack Winberg, as well as Ogimaa-Kwe (Chief) Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

It was also announced that WilkinsonEyre's Equinox Bridge concept was selected by the project partners through a design competition.

The new bridge will connect "Villiers Island" to Quayside, on Toronto's mainland. These new communities will contain thousands of new homes, including affordable housing. The bridge will be a crucial link for residents of these emerging communities and beyond to access the city and the waterfront, while expanding connections to Toronto's park network.

Engagement and collaboration with area residents, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous communities have been an important part of this project's formulation. By acknowledging and celebrating the Indigenous history and presence in Toronto, the bridge will also benefit inclusivity, while taking steps towards reconciliation.

Quotes

"New communities on Toronto's waterfront will accommodate thousands of homes, new businesses, and residents. The Keating Channel pedestrian bridge will link residents with their communities, integrate nature and wildlife into our surroundings, and honour the relationship of Indigenous peoples with our city and history. Projects like this support an affordable, inclusive and sustainable future for everyone."

Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Toronto—Danforth, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

"The new bridge will connect people and communities. It will create more access for the thousands of families who will live in this area in the future. On behalf of the future residents of these waterfront communities, I want to thank the federal government for their investment in building this critical piece of infrastructure."

Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of the City of Toronto

"Honouring the rich Indigenous history of the lands and waters that make up Toronto's waterfront is essential to the success of this project. The Equinox Bridge design will represent and celebrate Indigenous history and culture while creating space for dialogue, reconciliation and relationship-building."

Ogimaa-Kwe (Chief) Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

"The Equinox Bridge will provide passage to a new world of wonder and discovery. It will open up the thousands of new market and affordable homes on 'Villiers Island', creating a link just minutes from downtown Toronto to the natural beauty at the Port Lands, where visitors and residents alike can find joy in new parks and harmony with the water. Toronto's waterfront is a showcase for the best of Canada and Equinox Bridge is a welcome addition to our skyline and water's edge."

Jack Winberg, Chair of the Board of Directors for Waterfront Toronto

Quick Facts

• The federal government is investing $9 million in this project through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF). Waterfront Toronto (the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation) is leading the design and delivery of the bridge with the City of Toronto, in collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
• Following an international design competition, the Equinox Bridge was selected by an Evaluation Committee consisting of staff representatives from Waterfront Toronto, City of Toronto, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), who considered input from technical advisors, a community advisory committee, Indigenous communities and the public.
• The Equinox Bridge is designed by a multi-disciplinary team, including UK-based  WilkinsonEyre (design architect), Zeidler Architecture Inc (local architect), and including Arup (engineer), Two Row Architect (Indigenous consultant), and PLANT Architect Inc. (landscape architect).
• Waterfront Toronto was established by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto in 2001 to oversee and lead the renewal of the city's waterfront. Each order of government contributed $500 million in initial seed funding to help catalyze revitalization.
• The National Active Transportation Strategy is the country's first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. The strategy's aim is to make data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks, while supporting equitable, healthy, active, and sustainable travel options.

Associated Links

Active Transportation Fund
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/index-eng.html 

National Active Transportation Strategy
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/trans/active-strat-actif-eng.html 

Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html 

Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html

Waterfront Toronto
https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/ 

Keating Channel pedestrian bridge
https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/our-projects/keating-channel-pedestrian-bridge-bridge 

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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

(media only), please contact: Micaal Ahmed, Communications Manager, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, 343-598-3920, [email protected]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Media Relations, City of Toronto, [email protected]; Kasia Gladki, Manager, Communications and Public Engagement, Waterfront Toronto, 416-306-8678, [email protected]