A glimpse into West Don’s future
Unfinished parks seen from Bayview, now that it’s open south of King
It’s peculiar to watch car after car turn right from King St. E. onto Lower River St. and drive south down a road that bisects what is basically still a construction site in the West Don Lands. The newly constructed road connects to a street that has been off limits to motorists since 2006.
Bayview Ave. is finally open south of King St. Drivers along that stretch can preview the construction of Don River Park and Underpass Park, as well as Lawren Harris Square. Other road construction in the area includes: 1. Link road: The road connecting River St. to the Bayview extension is now closed and won’t reopen. This area will be part of the huge berm that is being created for flood protection in the West Don Lands.
2. River St.: The road is torn up and closed to traffic between Queen and King Sts. It is being realigned and should reopen in about three months. A walkway into Don River Park will be built on the street’s east side, where the link road was formerly located. 3. Lawren Harris Square: Named for the Group of Seven painter, the street encircling the square joins Lower River St. and Bayview.
4. Streetcar: Construction on Cherry St. will begin soon to update sewer pipes and other utilities beneath the road. Once that’s done, a streetcar line will be built over the next couple of years on a separated right-of-way down the east side of the street. It is supposed to be finished in time for the Pan Am Games.
5. Streetcar loop: The turnaround loop will be located on the east side of Cherry St.
6. Mill St., Front St.: The roads won’t be opened for a couple of years, but when that happens, they will connect to the Bayview extension.