trn02 final panels pic 4 - 2015-4-14

Introduction to the Study

The Gardiner Expressway East and Lake Shore Boulevard are important

transportation infrastructure in the City of Toronto. Nearly 20 years ago,

the initial Crombie Commission recommended the removal of the entire

elevated Gardiner Expressway. In 2003 the first section of the Gardiner (east

of Bouchette Street) was removed.

In 2008, Waterfront Toronto’s Board of Directors and the Toronto City

Council passed resolutions to comence the study of the future of the

Gardiner Expressway East and Lake Shore Boulevard.

The study includes the following components:

• Individual Environmental Assessment • Urban Design Study

The Terms of Reference for the study was completed and approved by the

Ministry of Environment in 2009.

Study Lenses

Urban Design

FUTURE OF THE GARDINER EAST Environmental Assessment & Urban Design Study

The Alternative solutions were presented to the Public Works & Infrastructure

Committee in 2014 and was referred at that time subject to further study.

Environment

Urban Design

Transportation +

Infrastructure

Economics

The section of the Gardiner Expressway East / Lake Shore Boulevard that is being studied for reconfiguration extends from approximately west of Lower Jarvis Street to approximately Leslie Street.

Study Area FUTURE OF THE GARDINER EAST

Environmental Assessment & Urban Design Study

Historical Context

1929: View of Toronto’s Waterfront 2000: Demolition of the Gardiner East from Don Valley Parkway to Leslie Street

1956: Building of the Gardiner Expressway, routed through industrial waterfront, completed in 1965

The F.G. Gardiner Expressway (Gardiner) was named after

the first chair of the former Metro Council, Frederick G.

Gardiner who was a strong advocate for the project.

Construction on the Gardiner began in 1956. It was built in

segments and completed in 1965 at a cost of approximately

$103 million.

The Gardiner runs for about 20 kilometres from the foot of

Highway 427 and the Queen Elizabeth Way in the west to

the Don Valley Parkway in the east.


1987 Study of potential modifications to the Gardiner Expressway ramps in the downtown area, titled the Central Bayfront Ramp Study. The study recommended several modifications to the Gardiner Expressway ramps.

1990 The Crombie Commission suggested the removal of the entire elevated Gardiner Expressway and its replacement with a network of tunnels and surface roads.

1996 Planning began for the removal of the 1.3 km section of the Gardiner Expressway east of the Don River, between Bouchette Street and Leslie Street, which was completed in 2003.

2001 The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Task Force proposed that the rest of the elevated Gardiner Expressway be replaced. Recommendations included a tunnel, improved road network , construction of the Front Street Extension, widening of the Richmond/Adelaide DVP ramps.

2003-2006 Waterfront Toronto examined options for the reconfiguration of the Gardiner/Lake Shore to stimulate waterfront revitalization. Studies demonstrated the cost of removing the entire Gardiner was too high. Other scenarios demonstrated a lower cost; including the least congested portion of the expressway from Lower Jarvis Street to the DVP.

2008 Waterfront Toronto Board of Directors and City Council adopted the proposal to complete an individual Environmental Assessment and Integrated Urban Design study to explore the feasibility of removing part of the elevated Gardiner Expressway from approximately Jarvis Street to Logan Avenue.

Waterfront Toronto’s mandate is to put Toronto at the forefront of

global cities in the 21st century by transforming the waterfront into

beautiful and sustainable communities, fostering economic growth in

knowledge-based, creative industries, and ultimately redefining

how Toronto, Ontario and Canada are perceived by the world. Created by the Governments of Canada, Ontario and the City of Toronto, a

core part of Waterfront Toronto’s mission includes building high-

quality public infrastructure, including parks, promenades,

boulevards, and other amenities needed to generate vibrant urban

activity .

Waterfront Revitalization

Spadina WaveDeck, completed 2008 Corus Quay, East Bayfront

West Don Lands

Queens Quay East Bayfront

Queens Quay: To be completed in June 2015, Queens Quay will be transformed into an iconic waterfront boulevard where the needs of all users will be accommodated. From recreational and transit, to bicycle, pedestrian and vehicular traffic, the overall landscape and public realm will be enhanced within the Queens Quay corridor.

East Bayfront: This 55 acre site is located on the Inner Harbour and is within walking distance of downtown Toronto. It includes established neighbourhoods and many entertainment and cultural attractions. The new district will have roughly 6,000 residential units, jobs for approximately 8,000 people and 1 km of continuous water’s edge promenade.

West Don Lands

Lower Don Lands


The West Don Lands is an 80 acre site immediately adjacent to the Distillery District and has strong connections to the St. Lawrence and Corktown neighbourhoods. A section of the community will first be used as the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village. After the games and once complete, the area will have 5,800 residential units, including 1,200 units of affordable rental housing, 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space, 23 acres of parks and public spaces, a new transit line, an elementary school, a recreation centre, and childcare centres. The recently completed Corktown Common park, is the centerpiece for the emerging neighbourhood, offering spectacular views of the city and surrounding area.

Don Mouth Naturalization: Naturalizing the mouth of the Don River and providing flood protection to the Port Lands were identified as one of the top priorities for all three levels of government when they first announced the establishment of Waterfront Toronto in 2001. This project proposes to transform the existing mouth of the Don River including the Keating Channel, into a healthier, more naturalized river outlet to the lake, while at the same time, removing the risk of flooding to 230 hectares of urban land to the east and south of the river.

Lower Don Lands (Keating Channel): The Lower Don Lands and Don Mouth Environmental Assessment and Precinct Plan has been completed for the Lower Don Lands area. The Keating Channel precinct will be the first developed community of the Lower Don Lands and will draw the City around the northeast corner of the Toronto Harbour.

Study Goals and Principles

REVITALIZE THE WATERFRONT

A public realm that provides adequate

access to open space, landscape, light and

air, and contributes to the revitalization of

the waterfront needs to be created. The

project should:

Prioritize urban design excellence, place-

making, and quality of life as integral

components of project design and

evaluation.

Contribute to the creation of the waterfront

as a regional / tourist destination.

Rejuvenate the underutilized and

derelict lands under and adjacent to the

expressway.

Balance provision of new amenities for

both local and regional users, recognizing

that local and regional stakeholders may

value amenities and infrastructure in

different ways.

Build on existing planning initiatives and

conclusions. The EA study will coordinate

and seek opportunities of mutual benefit

with those initiatives.

Acknowledge this project as an

opportunity for City-building. Evaluate

city-building investments, outcomes,

and benefits in local, regional, and global

contexts.

RECONNECT THE CITY WITH THE LAKE

The Gardiner Expressway East and Lake

Shore Boulevard pair have long been

perceived as a barrier that disconnects

the downtown from its waterfront. The

railroad viaduct is a physical barrier,

limiting waterfront area access to four

underpasses. Any reconfiguration of the

Gardiner East and Lake Shore Blvd will

need to include welcoming and accessible

routes to the waterfront, breaking down

the psychological and physical barriers

that exist today. The project should:

Create physical, visual, and cognitive

connections to the waterfront for

downtown, the City, and region. The

waterfront is an amenity that belongs

and should be accessible to the

public.

Design the public realm to be attractive,

accessible and connected. The qualities

of experience offered by streets,

plazas, parks, promenades, pathways,

bicycle routes, and visual corridors

design will be major drivers of

decisions. Public spaces should be

accessible and perceived as public.

The new urban fabric should become a

connector between the downtown and

new waterfront communities, one that

uses transit, street design and new

mixed-use communities to stitch the

city with its unique waterfront

experience.

GOAL 1: GOAL 2:



BALANCE MODES OF TRAVEL

Any new configuration of the Gardiner Expressway

East and Lake Shore Blvd will need to maintain an

effective local and regional transportation system,

including commuters and freight, and minimize

negative impacts by balancing alternative travel

modes, including transit (local and regional),

cycling and walking within the system. The project

should:

Acknowledge transportation initiatives – both

positive and negative – on regional economic

competitiveness, land-use, development

Maintain reliable access to the City and its

neighborhoods for local residents, commuters,

freight trucks, and regional travelers.

an important role in the The corridor plays

movement of traffic through the City and larger

region. The reconfiguration alternatives will

the address the through-traffic function of

Gardiner Expressway East and Lake Shore Blvd.

Acknowledge and integrate other planned transit

(local and regional) initiatives being proposed

for the City.

Consider a combination of supply, system

and demand management measures.

Creatively maximize the performance of

and infrastructure through management

operation.

GOAL 3: GOAL 4:

This project should advance the City’s and

Waterfront Toronto’s commitment to green,

efficient development.

solutions can improve

healthy, and energy

design Sustainable

environmental quality and biodiversity, and

minimize public health risks. The project will:

Consider Waterfront Toronto’s and the City’s

sustainability policies and frameworks.

Help contribute to development that has an

overall positive impact. These benefits are

to result in environmental enhancements,

economic security, and social/cultural gains.

Contribute to the improvement of

environmental quality and public health,

including air quality.

Complement if not enhance other waterfront

environmental naturalization initiatives.

Accommodate the plans for flood conveyance

and flood protection to lands in the Don

River mouth area, the Port Lands and south

Riverdale community.

Promote social engagement and interaction.

Promote the City’s initiatives to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions.

Promote public awareness and education on

environmental issues through the physical

design of infrastructure and public realm.

Integrate ecology and natural systems with

urbanism.

ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY

character, settlement patterns, and

environmental issues

such ambient noise.

as air quality and

.



CREATE VALUE

The future reconfiguration of the Gardiner Expressway East and

Lake Shore Boulevard can act as a catalyst for good development

and contribute to an integrated, vibrant, and successful

waterfront. Further, any changes to the Gardiner Expressway

East and Lake Shore Blvd pair will require a significant public

investment, whether in rehabilitation and enhancement of the

existing structure or replacement with a new or alternative facility.

That investment should be targeted to maximize opportunities

for revitalization, and to leverage the economic benefits of the

project, rather than simply preserving the single purpose Gardiner

Expressway. The project should:.

Plan and design for positive net value creation in local, regional,

and global contexts.

Define a public and private investment structure that creates

and captures value for the public sector. The public sector,

through these city-building initiatives, creates value for the

community, in terms of streets, open space, and catalysts for

private development.

Maximize net economic and environmental benefits.

GOAL 5:


WESTBOUND

ORIGIN / DESTINATION STUDY – DOWNTOWN VS. THROUGH TRIPS (AM Peak Hour)

EASTBOUND

•

Most eastbound Gardiner trips are destined for downtown locations. Only 22% of eastbound trips use the Gardiner to bypass the city

•

Most westbound and southbound (from DVP) Gardiner trips are destined for downtown locations. Only 21% of westbound and southbound trips use the Gardiner to bypass the city.

Gardiner East

Study Area

Eastbound @ Dufferin

5,650 per hour

Spadina/York- Bay-Yonge

3,000 54%

Jarvis/ Sherbourne

1,400 25%

DVP 900

16%

Lake Shore 350

6%

5,650 2,600 1,200

Gardiner East

Study Area

Lake Shore

2,900

Spadina/York- Bay-Yonge

2,600

35%

Richmond 1,800

24%

Jarvis/ Sherbourne 500 7%

DVP 4,500 per hour

4,500

2,7

00

Lake Shore

700

9%

Gardiner East Role & Function Today

To

Dufferin

/Hwy 427 5,650

1,500

21%

How Commuters get Downtown (AM Peak Hour 2011)

2.4km – Gardiner Expressway Elevated Structure

e.g. King to Bloor

4.2km – Lake Shore Blvd East (Yonge to Leslie) e.g. Ossington to Jarvis

Gardiner East Passes Through Five Emerging Neighbourhoods

Walk/Cycle 4% (5,900)

Auto (All Other Routes)

21% (33,500)

Auto (Gardiner Eastbound @

Bathurst) 4%

(6,100)

Auto (Gardiner Westbound @

DVP) 3%

(5,200)

GO

Transit 19%

(29,500)

TTC Transit

49% (77,700)

Dupont

Do

n R

iver

Bath

urst

157,200 Total

Transportation Demand Growth

Source: AM Peak Hour Inbound to Downtown: Transportation City Cordon Count (2011)

Downtown: Defined as Bathurst to Don River and Waterfront to the rail corridor north of Bloor

2.4km

Lower Yonge

East Bayfront Keating

Port Lands

South of Eastern Ave

Downtown Population & Employment Growth

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0 Pop

ula

tio

n/

Emp

loym

ent

Population Employment

Source: Downtown Employment/ Population: 1) Census Canada (1981-2011); and 2) Employment/ Population City's Flash Forward Report (2011-2031). Downtown: Defined as Bathurst to Don River and Waterfront to the rail corridor north of Bloor

Transportation & Growth

What did we do? In Response to PWIC:

New Work Undertaken PWIC Referral Decision:

1. Work with WT and community stakeholders to review the recommended option [Remove] under the EA process to mitigate congestion concerns;

2. Prepare an additional option that combines the maintain and replace components to preserve expressway linkage and functionality between the GE and the DVP, and evaluate it against the EA criteria and the following:

• Transportation functionality;

• Impacts on key economic sectors;

• Cost benefit;

• Future land use considerations;

• Public transit components;

• Environmental Impacts; and

• Neighbourhood growth and compatibility

3. Report back in 2015

1. Optimized the Remove (Boulevard) alternative to improve auto travel times

2. Developed a Hybrid alternative

3. Goods Movement & City Economic Competitiveness impacts studied

4. Assessed and compared the Hybrid against the previously recommended Remove (Boulevard) alternative

Consult on Alternative Solutions

Design Ideas Public Ideas Your Ideas

Public Meeting Oct 2013

Spring 2015

Fall 2015

MOE Review & Decision 2016 Onwards

Winter 2016

Evaluate & Consult on Four Alternative Solutions

Committee and City Council Approval

Develop & Consult on Alternative Designs

Submission to MOE

Public Meeting Jun 2013

2009 Approved EA Terms of Reference

Public Meeting Feb 2014

Evaluate & Consult on Refined Solutions You are here!

Next Steps ...

Maintain the elevated expressway

No Changes to the Previous

Plan

• Move ahead with the Gardiner rehabilitation program

• Reconstruct deck of expressway

• Realign Lake Shore Blvd through the Keating Precinct (east of Cherry Street, south of the rail corridor)

Previous Plan

• Relocate and rebuild Lake Shore Blvd under the Gardiner

• Rebuild Gardiner deck with 4 lanes; open in the middle

Revised Plan

• Rebuild Gardiner deck with 4 lanes open on the south side

• Lake Shore largely stays as is with:

• Intersection improvements

• Remove southern eastbound lane east of Jarvis Street

• New east-west walking and cycling trail

Improve the urban fabric while maintaining the existing expressway

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Replace with a new expressway

No Changes to the Previous BEFORE

Plan

• New elevated 4-lane expressway – ending at Don River

• Single column design, 5m higher

• 4 lane Lake Shore Boulevard

• Opens up land for public realm, parks, green space and increased development

• Opens up more light and air at street level


AFTER

Remove the elevated expressway and build a new boulevard

BEFORE

AFTER

Revised Plan with a

Two Sided Street

• Improved cross section to allow for an 8 lane boulevard with development along 85% of the north and south sides of the street

• North side development provides a buffer from rail corridor

• Opens up entire ground level to light and air

• Extensively treed boulevard


Four Alternative Solutions

HYBRID

REMOVE (BOULEVARD)

(Don Mouth Naturalization)

View North Don River & Keating Channel

EXISTING REMOVE (BOULEVARD) HYBRID

North Don River & Keating Channel

Pedestrian Experience

Remove (Boulevard)

Existing

Hybrid

Lake Shore Blvd E/Gardiner Expressway @ Jarvis Street

REMOVE (Boulevard) Description Removal of 1.7 kilometres of elevated expressway and replacement with at-grade 8-lane tree-lined Lake Shore Blvd Removal of about 750 m (EB lanes) and 850 m (WB lanes) of the existing Logan on/off ramps Removal of all road infrastructure along Keating Channel New Lake Shore DVP ramp connection New ramps at Jarvis Street Remove has a lower cost, higher revenue from public land redevelopment, creates an animated Lake Shore Boulevard and facilitates better connections to the waterfront

Largely retains the existing Gardiner structure including DVP ramps Removes about 750 m (EB lanes) and 850 m (WB lanes) of the existing Logan on/off ramps Adds 2 new ramps (2 lanes each) in the Keating precinct:

• about 470 m new WB on-ramp and • about 425 m new EB off-ramp

Includes new multi-use pathway & some intersection improvements Hybrid maintains an expressway connection between the Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway, has lower auto travel and goods movement times, and less construction time

HYBRID Description Description


EXISTING

HYBRID


REMOVE (Boulevard)


23

Summary of Key Differences Study Lens

Hybrid Remove (Boulevard)

Transportation & Infrastructure

• Shorter auto/Goods Movement travel time in peak hour

• Maintains DVP/Gardiner direct expressway connection

• Less construction impact on traffic (approximately 1.5 years of detours)

• Longer auto/Goods Movement travel time in peak hour

• No DVP/Gardiner direct expressway connection

• Greater construction impact on traffic (approximately 3-4 years of detours)

Urban Design

• Complements development plans for Port Lands & South of Eastern developments (First Gulf) – requires review of Keating Precinct Plan

• Less public realm space created and less quality of place along Lake Shore Blvd. corridor

• West of Cherry Street, active street frontage along the corridor is unlikely

• Complements Port Lands & South of Eastern developments (First Gulf)

• More public realm space created and more quality of place along Lake Shore Blvd. corridor

• More opportunity for new development in corridor – more development in Keating

• Allows for the creation of more active street frontage along the corridor.

Environment • Complements Don Mouth naturalization • Complements Don Mouth naturalization

Economics

• No impacts on City global or regional economic competiveness

• Less opportunity for economic development in corridor

• $336 M (NPV) $919 M ($2013)

• No impact on City global economic competiveness but could result in regional impacts

• More opportunity for economic development in corridor.

• $240 M (NPV) $461M ($2013)

Improve E. River Waterfront Esplanade, New York Buffalo Skyway, Buffalo Maintain

Central Artery / “Big Dig”, Boston Embarcadero Freeway, San Francisco Replace Remove

Age of Infrastructure

60 years

Decision Made Maintain

(rehabilitate) existing highway

Project Cost $117 million (USD)

Key Impacts Rehabilitation for a

safe and reliable travel route


45 years

Decision Made

Replace with cut- and-cover tunnel

with at-grade

boulevard with

greenway placed over tunnel

Project Cost $22 billion (USD)

Key Impacts

Improved travel times, costly,

increased tourism and increased

property values


32 years

Decision Made

Remove highway and provide 6-lane

at grade urban boulevard

Project Cost $80 million (USD)

Key Impacts

Increased property values, increase in jobs, increase in

housing units and

new public space


59 years

Decision Made

Improve street section and

reconfigure space under

elevated highway

Project Cost $165 million

(USD)

Key Impacts

Tourism and city building, new access, new

community and creation of jobs

Case Studies

Contact Us

Participate in Online Discussions

The Gardiner East consultation website provides information as well as hosting public

discussion forums where you can read, rate, post and reply to public comments on

the project.

Visit our website today:

w.GardinerEast.ca

Call, Email or Send Us a Letter

The project team will respond to concerns and requests for information through the

telephone hotline, email, fax, or post. See contact information to the right.

www.GardinerEast.ca

CONTACT US

Facilitator’s Office:

505 Consumers Road, Suite 1005

Toronto, ON

M2J 4N8

Phone: 416-479-0662

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.GardinerEast.ca


http://www.GardinerEast.ca/





mailto:[email protected]

trn02 final panels pic 4 - 2015-4-14

Documents

gardiner expressway

entire gardiner

gardiner expressway

study area future

leslie street

central bayfront ramp

street extension

industrial waterfront