A brand new report ready by Metropolis of Toronto workers just isn’t ruling out a bridge to the Toronto Islands however notes that there are a variety of constraints to the thought, together with a price ticket of at the least $100 million.
The report, which will be received by council on May 25, recommends {that a} process power be fashioned to resolve the difficulty of transportation to the Islands, which see round 18,000 guests per day on weekends and holidays via the summer time.
Whereas the report doesn’t have a remaining estimated price of the bridge, it stated workers analysis estimates $100 million to be the ground.
The construction, which might run alongside the jap hole from the islands to Lake Ontario, would produce other points, together with harbour site visitors and the airport making a “window” of round 39 metres to permit for a hard and fast bridge to be constructed.
“A bridge that’s 39 metres excessive could be in regards to the top of a 12-storey constructing,” the report famous. “Probably, in depth ramp constructions could be required to stand up to a 39-metre top, which might require additional land taking, security and upkeep questions.”
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An alternative choice, could be having a bridge that might raise up and down like a drawbridge, which can depart individuals ready in line when the bridge is up and ships ready when it’s down.
“The Port of Toronto serves as a vital hub, facilitating the passage of cargo and cruise vessels yearly via the Jap Hole,” the report provided. “In 2024, 173 cargo ships delivered over 2.0 million metric tonnes of products to the Port of Toronto and 34 cruise ships introduced 18,000 passengers.”
It’s estimated that the port generates over $460 million in financial exercise in Ontario.
A technique across the bridge prices could be to construct a tunnel, though the report notes that might include a minimal price ticket of $85 million.
In complete, the report stated greater than 1.5 million individuals attain the islands through the town ferries yearly, whereas one other 485,000 journeys are taken by water taxis.
At the moment, the ferries run to run to Ward’s Island, Hanlan’s Level and Centre Island each day all through the summer time from early morning till close to midnight however as summer time set in final 12 months, issues started to emerge.
Two of the ferries fell into disrepair, and whereas they had been out of service in June, the town issued a discover to residents, telling to keep away from the favored summer time spot throughout peak hours or to take personal water taxis as a substitute.
However over the subsequent two years, the town shall be changing two of these ferries with new electrical ferries and bettering the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at a price of $145 million.
The Toronto Islands are the most important inexperienced area the town has to supply.
*With information from World Information’ Aaron D’Andrea
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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