The Don River Valley (Winter)

[smuncky]

Since today was a gorgeous day, when compared to the storm we had just a day ago, I decided to finally take a walk down the Don River Valley.

I got off the bus at the corner of Broadview and Pottery Road and walked down into the valley. I then headed south following the river and DVP until I hit Lakeshore at which point I turned west towards Union station.

The path was quite walkable as people had already made a path walking their dogs and cross-country skiing. Although as I got closer to the lake, a lot less people made it that far south and I had to walk through some deep snow. Overall, the walk took around 3.5 hours with lots of stopping to take pictures and admire nature.

As you'll see, I'm a bit obssesive when it comes to bridges and such, but I love the engineering of the structures and the role they play in our daily lives.

Anyway, enjoy.

Looking west from Pottery Road

Looking Northwest from Pottery Road

On the trail

Some Sumac on the side of the DVP

Looking up at the same bridge

Highrises near Danforth Avenue in the distance

Prince Edward Viaduct

PEV close-up

Underneath the PEV

Eastbound subway train

Underneath an electricity pylon

Crossing the Don River near Riverdale

Looking south

Looking north

The bridge that connects Riverdale Park East and West over the Don River and DVP

Riverdale East Park

The train tracks under the bridge.

Riverdale West Park

Queen Street bridge

West Don Lands

 

[SP!RE]

Toronto winters can be so cozy and peaceful.

 

[Observer Walt]

A winter wonderland in the city. Interesting pictures!

 

[Tuscani01]

Great looking pics man!

This one is my favourite of the bunch:

But Ferry Corsten @ Guv? lol

 

[smuncky]

But Ferry Corsten @ Guv? lol

hehe. i couldn't figure out how to make subfolders in photobucket.

 

[Bogtrotter]

That's quite the walk for such a cold day- thanks for the tour of the Lower Don.

 

[Long Island Mike]

Good Don Valley pics!

Smuncky: I agree with Tuscani-that was a good underbridge pic-I noticed the old 6-circle Metro logo up on one of the abutments-what exactly was that bridge? What was the closed truss bridge? How noisy is the TTC B/D Subway trains crossing the Prince Edward viaduct? It was good forward thinking by the planners who designed it with rail tracks below deck. LI MIKE

 

[smuncky]

That's quite the walk for such a cold day- thanks for the tour of the Lower Don.

it was actually quite warm because the sun was out during the whole walk. also, since the path wasn't that well established in some places, my feet had to keep moving because of the deep snow.

Smuncky: I agree with Tuscani-that was a good underbridge pic-I noticed the old 6-circle Metro logo up on one of the abutments-what exactly was that bridge? What was the closed truss bridge? How noisy is the TTC B/D Subway trains crossing the Prince Edward viaduct? It was good forward thinking by the planners who designed it with rail tracks below deck. LI MIKE

the bridge with the metro logo is the on/off ramp from the DVP. it looks like there might've been a different configuration because it seems there are old ramps coming off the exit to bayview/bloor where the new bridge is now.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=43.680819,-79.364558&spn=0.002723,0.004989&t=h&z=18&om=1

and the closed truss bridge is here
http://maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=43.655802,-79.351619&spn=0.002725,0.004989&t=h&z=18&om=1

i'm guessing it was used before the creation of the DVP. anyone know any more information on it and the bridge that is right beside which looks to have something inside it?

the noise wasn't that bad actually. the distance is quite substantial and a lot of it gets dissappated into the air and absorbed by the ground below. there's also the sound of the cars and trucks on the DVP which it has to compete with.

 

[Urban Shocker]

I believe that the King Street Bridge was closed once King Street was realigned to merge with Queen just west of the Don. Most of that part of King, east and west of the Don, was then renamed Eastern Avenue.

 

[smuncky]

so i'm guessing that the railroad tracks weren't always there as well or were they and people/cars had to cross them at grade?

 

[TKTKTK]

I believe that the King Street Bridge was closed once King Street was realigned to merge with Queen just west of the Don. Most of that part of King, east and west of the Don, was then renamed Eastern Avenue.

King street has nearly always ended at Queen St., east of River St., as it approaches the Don. I believe Eastern's always had it's name. Well, until part got renamed Sunlight Park in honour of the old stadium built there.

Correction: Eastern was once South Park Street.

 

[TKTKTK]

Looking east, on Eastern Ave., towards the Don River. I've never really understood what the enclosed bridge is. It seems to have been built sealed - anyone know what's in there?

 

[TKTKTK]

^^ Sorry to resurrect an old thread - but does anyone know what the enclosed bridge is beside the Eastern Ave. bridge? I've seen it referred to in old photos as the Consumer Gas bridge, is that all that's inside? Pipes going across the Don?

 

[akridz]

Looking east, on Eastern Ave., towards the Don River. I've never really understood what the enclosed bridge is. It seems to have been built sealed - anyone know what's in there?

Jimmy Hoffa

 

[TKTKTK]

Jimmy Hoffa

Pretty big for just one man.