toronto

Toronto getting a new island in the Port Lands

A naturalized Don River and revitalized Port Lands are a step closer to reality today, as all three governments announced $5 million in funding for the due diligence required to proceed with a project that will ultimately cost in the neighbourhood of a billion dollars.

The idea is that by naturalizing the mouth of the Don River and providing flood plain protection to the vulnerable Port Lands, the city will finally able to proceed with development of these former industrial lands, which spans 400 hectares. Of that vast space, Waterfront Toronto claims that 290 hectares are a flood risk.

Truth be told, today's plans don't differ much from the last time the project was in the spotlight, save for some clever marketing that picks up on the fact that the re-routing of the Don will fashion a new island out of the northeast section of the Port Lands. In previous renderings, the island was nameless, but it's now being referred to as Villiers Island.

don river naturalization

A new island is a decent way to generate some interest in a project that's actually quite pragmatic in nature. Flood plain protection isn't exactly sexy, but when you see what comes along with it -- namely ample green space and a dramatically beautified Port Lands -- it gets a whole lot more exciting.

Preliminary work is set to wrap up this year, which will be submitted along with an implementation strategy. It's a seven year project, so if it started in 2017, the earliest we would see a naturalized Don is 2024. That's a long time to wait, but at least the wheels are turning.

Photo by Twurdemann in the blogTO Flickr pool.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

The former landmark HMV store on Yonge St. is getting a new tenant

Canadian Dental Care Plan expands to cover more services

Ontario drivers are so bad at using one road feature that police keep having to explain it

Abandoned century-old bridge in Toronto is finally being demolished

Several people injured in high-speed TTC crash overnight

Toronto neighbours build ghostly marriage proposal for Halloween

Upcoming job fairs where you can look for work in Toronto

Multiple Canadian companies just ranked among the world's best employers for women