Passed by Economic Development Committee today:
Completing the Lighting of the Prince Edward Viaduct
Origin
(September 14, 2015) Letter from Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 30, Toroonto-Danforth and Councillor Mary Fragedakis, Ward 29, Toronto-Danforth
Recommendations
That the Economic Development Committee:
1. Request the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to evaluate the sesquicentennial of Canada in 2017 and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Prince Edward Viaduct as opportunities, to complete lighting of the Prince Edward Viaduct and report to the Economic Development Committee from a budgetary, logistical and timing perspective in Q4 in 2015.
Summary
The Prince Edward Viaduct was completed in 1918 as a critical gateway across the Don Valley connecting the east end to the city centre. It is considered one of the most successful infrastructure projects within the City and is an important heritage landmark.
In late 1990’s the City worked with the community to introduce a suicide barrier on the bridge. The Luminous Veil was chosen. The initial phase completed in 2002 while opportunities were sought to complete the project with the lighting of the veil. This year Phase One of the veil lighting was accomplished as a Pan Am Games legacy project. All of the technical studies and requirements were completed as part of the Pan Am legacy project however financial considerations allowed for only the top half of the bridge to be lit.
Tens of thousands of residents gathered on the bridge in celebration, and Toronto is now host to the largest public art installation in Canada.
Phase Two – lighting of the remainder of this heritage structure- is still to be completed.
Two opportunities present themselves to complete the lighting of the Prince Edward Viaduct: the sesquicentennial of Canada in 2017 and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Viaduct itself.