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Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto, in collaboration with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, have announced the selection of WilkinsonEyre's design concept, the Equinox Bridge, for the Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge in the Lower Don Lands. This selection was made following a competitive design process that attracted submissions from leading local, national, and international firms.
The winning design was from 13 submissions reviewed by an Evaluation Committee. Along with the UK-based WilkinsonEyre as design architect, the team behind the bridge includes Toronto-based Zeidler Architecture, engineering consultant Arup, Indigenous consultant Two Row Architect, and landscaping architect Plant Architect.
This pedestrian bridge, part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the Lower Don Lands, will connect Downtown Toronto to Villiers Island. This initiative represents a significant stride towards sustainable and inclusive urban development, promising a new pathway for residents and visitors alike.
In a recent announcement, Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin announced that the federal government is investing $9 million through the Active Transportation Fund towards the construction of the bridge. The Equinox Bridge features an S-shaped suspended arch, connected by a series of fanning cables that stabilize the structure while also offering aesthetic appeal. Designed to harmonize with the waterfront's natural elements, the bridge is engineered to align with the sunsets during the solstices, promising to provide a mesmerizing visual experience.
Beyond its functional role, the bridge will provide quick access between the burgeoning community in Toronto's East Bayfront area and the future one on Villiers Island, anticipated to house thousands of new market-rate and affordable residences. The bridge will also provide quick access to waht is currently called Promontory Park and other expansive green spaces now under construction in the Port Lands. The project’s development has been enriched by comprehensive consultations with local residents and Indigenous groups, in an aim to ensure cultural respect and inclusivity.
“The new bridge will connect people and communities,” expressed Mayor Olivia Chow, “It will create more access for the thousands of families who will live in this area in the future.” Ogimaa-Kwe (Chief) Claire Sault, of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, echoed this sentiment, expressing, “The Equinox Bridge design will represent and celebrate Indigenous history and culture while creating space for dialogue, reconciliation, and relationship-building."
Aligning with Toronto’s environmental objectives, the Equinox Bridge is a key part of the broader vision of enhancing the city’s Waterfront. Promoting active transportation and connecting individuals to an extended network of parks and natural areas along the Don River, the bridge supports the City’s ambitions for a green, accessible, and interconnected urban environment.
UrbanToronto’s updates have highlighted ongoing construction efforts in the Port Lands, focused on the naturalization and flood protection of the Don River's mouth, shifting it to a new course through the heart of the Lower Don Lands. Significant progress has been made, with the realignment of Cherry Street, the extension of the Lake Shore Bridge, and the development of new pedestrian pathways and cycling trails. Earlier this year, the Cherry Street North and Commissioners Street Bridges opened to the public.
Waterfront Toronto has previously said that flood protection is slated to be completed by the end of 2024, with parks set to open in the first half of 2025, followed by housing development in subsequent years.
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