This message is to provide a brief update for the Waterfront East LRT project.
Following our June 2024 update email, the project team has continued advancing the design of the project following the Notice of Completion for the Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process. The following is a summary of the key updates since then.
On October 30, the Waterfront Design Review Panel (DRP) reviewed the 60% design for a portion of Segment 2 along Queens Quay East. The presentation materials from the DRP are available
here, and a video recording of the presentation is available on
YouTube.
On November 27, 2024, the DRP reviewed the schematic design for the Yonge Street Slip redesign. The purpose of the DRP review at this stage was to evaluate the schematic design for this portion of the project and give the design team feedback on how the design concept has been refined in response to feedback received through the Transit and Rail Project Assessment Process and in response to the preliminary concept.
The video recording of the DRP meeting will be available online soon. For renderings and more information about the design that was presented to the DRP, please see this blog,
Yonge Slip Design Refined to Enable Eastern Waterfront Transit.
A City staff report regarding the Next Phase of Waterfront Revitalization will be presented at the December 10, 2024 Executive Committee meeting. The staff report is available on the City of Toronto’s
website. Should the Executive Committee support the staff report, it will then be discussed at the December 2024 City Council meeting.
The report provides an update on recent inter-governmental funding discussions related to the ongoing waterfront revitalization work needed to support infrastructure, housing, transit and public realm on the waterfront. As waterfront transit is a critical component of supporting the rapidly growing eastern waterfront, the report outlines discussions related to the Waterfront East LRT project and refers to upcoming reports in Q1 2025 that will speak to the next steps for the project and ongoing funding discussions.
Additionally, as an immediate step to address urgent challenges, the report requests support to study the option of interim bus lanes on Queens Quay East between Bay Street to Parliament Street. These lanes would utilize existing shoulder and curb lanes without impacting the existing four-lane traffic capacity.
This work would not be part of the WELRT project scope but could be an opportunity to address immediate pressures while WELRT design work continues. The report commits to reporting back to Council on this item by Q2 2025.
As mentioned in the report, the Waterfront East LRT team is working towards a report to Executive Committee and City Council in the new year, which will provide an update on the 60% design process.
We look forward to meeting with you in the new year to provide a more detailed project update.
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or concerns.
Warm Regards,
City of Toronto, TTC and Waterfront Toronto