Toronto's futuristic new subway bridge just took a huge leap forward
Construction for the new Ontario Line is transforming sites across Toronto, as demolitions, station construction, and the creation of new bridges lay the groundwork for this game-changing 15-station subway route.
The Ontario Line's route will cross Toronto's Don River twice over its 15.6km path, requiring a pair of bridges unlike anything constructed in the city for generations.
Crossings are currently under construction to move Ontario Line trains across two points along the Don River, including a high-level valley crossing near the Leaside Bridge, and a much smaller but flashier arch bridge spanning the river and Don Valley Parkway between Corktown and South Riverdale.
First announced in 2021, the arch-supported structure — dubbed the Lower Don Bridge — commenced construction in 2024 and is now progressing quickly after roughly a year and a half of work.
Once complete, the arch bridge — with curved supports illuminated by architectural lighting — promises to be one of the signature visual features of the Ontario Line.
However, crews have a long way to go before the structure reaches completion.
Crews have been hard at work setting the stage for the Lower Don Bridge, and Metrolinx shared an update on Tuesday outlining the current progress on this much-anticipated landmark.
Following the construction of permanent bridge abutments, a temporary wooden bridge has been installed at the site, which Metrolinx explains "is acting as a base for us to start constructing the new Lower Don Bridge that will carry Ontario Line trains across the river and highway."
And progress is set to accelerate in the weeks and months ahead.
The regional transit agency states that "pieces of the permanent bridge have started to arrive, and over the next year we'll be seeing more change as everything moves into place."
Expected to enter service in 2031, the Ontario Line will add more than 40 transit connections to GO and TTC routes, and is projected to eliminate up to 28,000 car trips in the city daily.
Metrolinx
