Popular Toronto trail officially reopens after being closed for over 4 years

Toronto's Betty Sutherland Trail has officially reopened after more than four years of closure for rehabilitation work at the Highway 401 and Leslie Road interchange.

The project, which includes replacing structures at Leslie Road and along the Don River, is divided into five phases. As part of the second phase of construction, the popular cycling trail was closed in April 2022.

"The impacted section of Betty Sutherland Trail has reopened, and the North section of the trail will be maintained for the winter, from the 401 up to Sheppard Ave.," a City of Toronto spokesperson confirmed to blogTO.

The reopening has sparked excitement among local residents eager to hit the trail. "Wow, I never thought I'd see this day," someone wrote in a Reddit thread dedicated to Betty Sutherland Trail, aptly named after Betty Sutherland, a former member of City Council and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

"Been waiting for this since I started cycling in 2022," another chimed in.

The 1.85-kilometre trail runs along the East Don River and is a popular local destination for runners, rollerbladers, and anyone looking for a relatively easy hike.

While the trail is once again accessible to nature lovers and fitness enthusiasts, an update provided by the Henry Farm Community Interest Association, a volunteer group that closely monitors happenings in the Henry Farm community, notes that it's unclear whether it will remain fully accessible as the project enters its third phase of construction.

According to the update, the City may implement "temporary, short-term closures" soon, as it plans to remove the Don River bridges in the vicinity. The City's spokesperson could not confirm these details.