Should Toronto raise the DVP to prevent flooding?

The city of Toronto is considering raising the Don Valley Parkway to prevent increased instances of flooding. It's a rather dramatic fix, and one that would cause traffic chaos while repairs were undertaken, but Toronto and Region Conservation Authority senior manager Laurian Farrell told the Star that it's the best of a number of options under consideration. Building a flood wall is another option, though that can be complicated in an area like the lower Don, which also features GO Transit commuter tracks and recreational trails for pedestrians and cyclists.

Needless to say, the problem with raising the road is that the costs are exorbitant and the combination of major construction on the Gardiner Expressway and the DVP at the same time could seriously screw over commuters who rely on these highways every day. While it's too early to put a price tag on the project, estimates range into the hundreds of millions. The larger the section of the parkway that requires elevation, the higher the cost. And yet, as recent weather events have shown us, something needs to be done.

Photo by Tom Ryaboi