Cherry Street lift bridge, 1968-2024
The Cherry Street lift bridge over the Keating Channel is the smaller of two bascule lift bridges on Cherry Street, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The bridge spans the canalized mouth of the Don River where it empties into Toronto Harbour.
The bridge was the latest in a series of bridges, at this location, with the most recent being built in 1932.[1][2]
As originally constructed the bridge supported two lanes of traffic in each direction, and had a 1.8 m (5.91 ft) sidewalk on the west side.[3] In 1995 several changes were made to provide "enhanced safety for cyclists, skaters and pedestrians." As built the entire deck of the bridge, including the sidewalk, was a steel mesh. In 1995 vehicle traffic was restricted to one lane in each direction to make room for a 2 m (6.56 ft) sidewalk on the east side of the bridge, and the expansion of the sidewalk on the west side to 3.6 m (11.81 ft) so it could accommodate bicycles as well as pedestrians. The sidewalks were faced with a non-slip plastic fibreglass surface.
In 2006 an inspection showed that the bridge required $2 million CAD in repairs to corrosion damage.[4] The repairs were completed in April 2007.
Key bearings in the bridge broke in 2010, it took time for replacement bearings to be found in Sweden.[5] The bridge wasn't restored to working order until June 27, 2011.
The city's long term plans are to "renaturalize" the mouth of the Don River.[6][7] Under this plan the Keating Channel will be retained, due to its historic value, but a new more natural appearing channel would be constructed south of the Keating Channel, at the current location of Polson slip.
There are plans to replace the bridge.[8] In 2021 and 2022 two new bridges were installed, approximatly 50 meters west of the 1968 bridge.[7] Neither bridge is a lift bridge. One bridge will carry streetcars, while they other will carry vehicles and pedestrians.
See also
References
- ↑ Appendix A: City of Toronto Inventory of Cultural Heritage Properties in Don Mouth Study Area. Retrieved on 2020-05-06. “Bascule Bridge built in 1968 by City of Toronto’ R. M. Bremner City Engineer; W. Sefton & Associates, Structural Engineer; Ruliff Grass Construction Co. Ltd; operator’s control booth still in place; historical plaque underneath operator booth; concrete substructure of earlier bridge. A wooden draw bridge located over Don Diversion/Keating Channel at Cherry Street in 1899. Current bridge replaced an earlier steel draw bridges in 1912 and 1932.”
- ↑ Chris Bateman. CITY: A brief history of crossing the Don River, Blog TO, 2012-09-22. Retrieved on 2024-01-23. “The most southerly crossing point of note is the famous Cherry Street lift bridge. Built in 1968, the pivoting structure allows lake vessels to access the Keating Channel and the port area off Villiers Street. The bridge replaced a basic wooden swing structure which, amazingly judging by its rickety appearance, carried a single train track over the channel.”
- ↑ Virginia M. West. Cherry Street Bridge - Enhanced Safety for Cyclists, Skaters and Pedestrians, City of Toronto, 1998-05-20. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.
- ↑ Cherry Street Lift Bridge over the Keating Channel Structural Rehabilitation, City of Toronto, 2007-05-15. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.
- ↑ Peter Kuitenbrouwer. Old hands keep the Don flowing smoothly, National Post, 2011-07-30. Retrieved on 2012-01-02. “The port can haul sludge out of the channel and into the lake only when the Cherry Street lift bridge is in its up position. In 2010, the lift bridge broke and the port could do no dredging at all.”
- ↑ Lower Don Lands Official Plan Amendments and Keating Channel Precinct West Zoning By-Law – Final Report, City of Toronto, 2010-08-11. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Kimia Afshar Mehrabi. Toronto's unique lift bridge to be demolished, Blog TO, 2023-10. Retrieved on 2024-01-23. “As part of the project, Cherry Street will shift 50 metres to the west, to align with two new bridges across the Keating Channel and the Polson Slip.”
- ↑ Toronto Port Lands Company – Revitalization Opportunities for the Port Lands – Supplementary Report, City of Toronto, 2011-09-21. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.