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Waterfront Toronto, in partnership with the City of Toronto and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is in the process of planning for the multi-phase Waterfront Transit Reset Project that will extend streetcar lines through the East Bayfront and Port Lands, among other goals. Part of this is the replacement of the Cherry Street streetcar loop with an extension to the south. It recently had its schematic design presented to the Waterfront Design Review Panel (WDRP) to collect professional opinions on improving the design of the public realm surrounding the planned infrastructure.
The extension was earlier submitted to the WDRP in June, 2021 to have any issues with the early design identified by the panel. Comments included stressing the importance of leading with landscape, and creating a strong public realm, while offering strong support for the ecological approach being taken, and its emphasis on greening the post-industrial streetscape of the area.
Recently the advanced proposal was submitted for the review of its schematic design along Cherry Street from Mill Street to an eastwards extension of Queens Quay, and south to a new terminus loop in the Port Lands. We are starting with a look at the area where the current loop is, and how it will be rebuilt, the first image below showing the existing condition, and the second showing what is proposed:
The design of the transit line and streetscape is in response to three main factors; integration with urban ecology, the movement of people, and the building of a "destination."
To integrate the new infrastructure best into the local urban ecology, considerations pertain to the ecological performance of its design elements, including efforts such as integrated green infrastructure, expanded tree canopy and planting, and habitat and eco corridors for biodiversity, amongst others.
In the first option show below, we can see that 'green' streetcar tracks that are proposed to be surrounded by planted ground rather than asphalt. This has been done in an effort to capture and retain rain water, reduce the heat-island effect and noise, and to help reach a net-zero carbon goal. In the second option below, a hybrid green track is proposed for if/when streetcars need to be replaced with bus service.
Where the Cherry Loop presently exists slightly northeast of the Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) bridge there was previously a plaza proposed, which was to be decorated with cherry blossom trees. There were two proposed scenarios for this:
Now, instead, a wetland dubbed "Cherry Marsh" is proposed – similar to that of Corktown Commons – to deal with the high water table and the potential of localized flooding, as the proposed TTC pedestrian portal would create a new low point, and therefore potentially carry floodwater to the portal. There is currently a historic watch tower that sits at the south end of the loop, which remains part of the design but is proposed to be moved east of where the streetcar tracks would pass under the rail corridor and Gardiner.
The design takes safety, convenience, and flexibility in mind for moving people, prioritizing clarity at intersections, creating a more convenient cycling environment, and flexibility to accommodate new trends, plus other initiatives.
The existing Cherry Street USRC bridge, for example, would be doubled with a new bridge to the east to accommodate the streetcar route as well as make more space for cyclists and pedestrians.
Finally, the design prioritizes character and experience, offering continuity of design language with the rest of Queens Quay East, creating slips and intersections as destinations, and creating spaces that will encourage social interaction, to name a few.
Looking ahead, a revised phasing and funding strategy is expected to be presented to City Council in March or April, while detailed design and costing work will be continue, to be presented to Council sometime later in the Spring. A timeline for construction currently remains undetermined, and depends on the results of the funding, as well as construction of the Ontario Line, Gardiner Expressway realignment in the area, and other nearby projects.
More information on this development will come soon, but in the meantime, you can learn more from our dedicated Transportation Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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