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Cycling infrastructure (Separated bike lanes)

pawlyshyn said:
We're getting a cycle track under the bridge? In both directions?
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There is a (painted only) track there now and it has been there for several years. Under the railway is not a fun place to cycle as it's dark and road surface is very poor but ..... the tracks run from Front to Queen's Quay on both sides of Yonge.
 
DSCToronto said:
Yes, it has been one of the most pathetically 'planned' and executed Park's projects (and, god knows, there are others which could claim this title) but I think that what remains to be finished can actually be done in 6 weeks and I still (wishfully!) hope to see a late April opening. Of course, there is more work needed closer to Pottery Road so it will probably be close again soon enough.
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Most annoying is that whenever I walk or drive past the Lower Don Trail the Riverdale bridge site there is NOBOBY working. The construction vehicles are all idly parked, and there is no work crew present. Where is everyone?

Let's look at the latest update from the City's website, with my best guess at status. Keep in mind that the Lower Don Trail was closed and construction commenced on May 2, 2023.

TimelineWork DescriptionStatus (as of March 2026)
June–August 2025Complete restoration work including pavement repairs, pavement markings, and fencing south of Queen StreetNo apparent work since excavation in 2025
September–October 2025Install steel staircase at Dundas StreetWIP, but seemingly paused (partially completed)
November 2025Reopen section between Bala Underpass and Queen Street Bridge (pending Metrolinx fencing)Not completed
November–December 2025Install Riverdale accessible sloped pathWIP, but seemingly paused (partially completed)
November–December 2025Complete connections linking Dundas staircase to trail and Dundas Street, and sloped path to trail and Riverdale pedestrian bridgeNot completed
November–December 2025Continue installing Metrolinx fencing and add railing along opposite edge of trailNot completed
Winter 2026Pour concrete deck for Riverdale sloped path and complete remaining fencing and railingNot completed
Spring 2026Finish all remaining paving and line marking88 days until end of Spring 2026
Spring 2026Open full trail to the public88 days until end of Spring 2026
Spring 2026Finalize landscaping, install remaining features, and address deficiencies while keeping trail open88 days until end of Spring 2026

The forecasted April/May opening is never going to happen, and instead it's more likely sometime between September and December. Why do we have to suck at everything?!

If I thought it was worthwhile calling my councilor Chris "Sankofa" Moise I would, but he's useless AFAICT.
 
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DSCToronto said:
and on Day 2 it would have collapsed.
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@hawc jests I know, but I've been to China eight times and their infrastructure and speed of construction is amazing. One lesson China could teach Toronto on a small project like the Lower Don Trail is that you complete (and verify) the engineering and environmental studies, and procure all the components and skilled labour before you close the path to public use. Only once the Dundas stairs and Riverdale ramp had been delivered and ready to assemble should the trail been closed and the project started without delays caused by surprises in soil/shore composition or shortages of components or labour.

The existing trail in 2023 was rough, but perfectly usable well into the 2020s as it was, until the components and labour could be secured.
 
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Admiral Beez said:
@hawc jests I know, but I've been to China eight times and their infrastructure and speed of construction is amazing. One lesson China could teach Toronto on a small project like the Lower Don Trail is that you complete (and verify, you pillocks!) the engineering and environmental studies, and procure and assemble all the components and secure the skilled labour before you close the path to public use. Only once the Dundas stairs and Riverdale ramp had been delivered and ready to assemble should the trail been closed and the project started without delays caused by surprises in soil/shore composition or shortages of components or labour.

The existing trail in 2023 was rough, but perfectly usable well into the 2020s as it was, until the components and labour could be secured.
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Yes, I have visited China several times and lived/worked there for 6 months. They are able to build things very fast and sometimes they are great, in others they look good for a month or so and then don't. Here we take far longer to do anything and it would be good to think they might last longer - though the City work on Love Park (yes, Parks, again!!), where the pipes are apparently no longer working, would give one pause for thought!
 
hawc said:
Agree. In China the whole thing would have been done in one night.
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No comparison to your amazing drone shots, but here are some close-ups from Monday, March 23. Nothing happening, though to be fair it was around 7 p.m.

I included the new stairs at Dundas and the old stairs (with fresh paint?) at Riverdale just because. For the record, the old style bike gutters on those staircases are next to useless. I have a commuter bike, and even if I lean it all the way in from the railing, my right pedal hits the supports every few steps. The metal is also quite slippery and my wheels kept sliding around making it hard with a heavier bike.

I didn't get a pic, but the stairs to the new pedestrian bridge across Rosedale Valley Road, have a new design with a plastic channel that appears bolted onto the stairs about a foot in from the edge. This should be better, but I will reserve judgment until I try it.

p.s. photos inserted, someday I will understand this forum's UI for photos!

PXL_20260323_224634507.jpgPXL_20260323_225508673.jpgPXL_20260323_225517958.jpgPXL_20260323_225623392.jpg
 
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TwoWheelPoli said:
Per The Trillium, the Premier's office wasted time & resources holding "weekly bike lanes meetings" when Bill 212 and the court challenge were happening. If only Doug Ford expended this kind of energy on issues truly within his jurisdiction? 🤔

https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/1s38wff/issue_top_officials_held_weekly_bike_lanes
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Wow. Good thing that our health care and school systems are in such perfect working order that the Province can turn its eagle eye to details like bike trails.
 
Did they rebrand Urban Toronto to Skyrise Cities? Didn't it used to be called that? I'm trés confused.

Edit: I came here from an email link about @2WheelPoli's post, and the link was to Skyrise Cities.

So basically Skyrise Cities is like the global version of UT, using the exact same user interface, same login credentials and replicates all the UT forums in full?
Screen Shot 2026-03-25 at 11.20.58 AM.png
 
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UntitledCyclist said:
Did they rebrand Urban Toronto to Skyrise Cities? Didn't it used to be called that? I'm trés confused.

Edit: I came here from an email link about @2WheelPoli's post, and the link was to Skyrise Cities.

So basically Skyrise Cities is like the global version of UT, using the exact same user interface, same login credentials and replicates all the UT forums in full?View attachment 724410
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Why are you asking this in the Cycling Thread??
 
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