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Two of Toronto’s latest extensions to Portland Bridge have opened to the public, marking a major step in the redevelopment of 500 acres of underutilized land.
The additions are designed as contemporary structures and the opening of the Cherry Street North Bridge and Commissioner Street Bridge to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic can guide visitors into and around the future site of Villiers Island.
The plan, called Waterfront Toronto Port Land Flood Protection Infrastructure (PLFPEI), calls for the construction of innovative and aesthetically pleasing bridges over the region’s current and future waterways.
The Portlands Bridge is the centerpiece of a $1.3B revitalization and reconstruction effort, designed by Entuitive, Schlaich Bergermann Partners (SBP) and Grimshaw Architects.
Michael Meschino, principal at Entuitive, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of the Cherry Street North and Commissioners Street Bridges and reflect on the fruitful collaboration we have had with sbp and our construction partners in Grimshaw and Ellis Don.”
“Waterfront Toronto is one step closer to completing one of the province’s most exciting projects, a truly remarkable transformation of critical infrastructure and places to live, work and play.”
The joint design effort led by Entuitive was also guided by Waterfront Toronto and Construction Manager EllisDon, who led the construction process from fabrication to installation.
“We are honored to be a part of transforming Toronto’s waterfront into a vibrant, active and connected community,” said Juan Porral, partner at Grimshaw. “The Harbor Landbridge enables connectivity and ease of transportation for pedestrians, cyclists, future generations Trams and vehicles entering and passing through New Villiers Island create an unforgettable gateway.”
Designed as a unified four bridges, the bridges showcase manufacturing techniques and state-of-the-art engineering.
The design goal was to create elegant structures that serve as both transit points and destinations for the public. The single-span Cherry Street North and Light Rail Bridge and the four-span Commissioner Street Bridge connect to the previously opened Cherry Street South Bridge.
The Cherry Street South Bridge has three spans and spans the new mouth of the Don River on the west side of Villiers Island. It will be opened to traffic in October 2022.
“The Port Land Bridge is an excellent example of how a creative team of architects, engineers, contractors and owners can come together to design a beautiful bridge,” said Michael Stein, managing director of sbp. “We are delighted to be able to contribute to the development of communities through our bridges, These bridges serve both as functional infrastructure and as engaging landmarks that enhance the quality of the built environment.”
Entuitive, sbp and Grimshaw worked together to ensure the bridge met high aesthetic requirements. The results of Port Lands Bridges have been recognized by engineering and steel design awards in North America and Europe, such as the Institution of Structural Engineers, the National Council of Structural Engineers Societies, the New York Society of Structural Engineers, and the consulting association Engineers of Ontario.
“From concept to construction, there were many challenges encountered, which also led to many opportunities for innovation and collaboration,” said Jonathan Werner, senior partner at Entuitive. “Seeing the Port Lands Bridge open to the public for their use and enjoyment has been rewarding. It’s all worth it.”
The PLFPEI plan calls for the bridge to reference the history of Toronto’s waterfront while supporting the new community’s liveable and walkable future.
Therefore, the design team proposed a hybrid shell arch bridge structure. This self-anchored tether maximizes material efficiency while reducing costs. Tie arches produce only vertical reaction forces and also reduce the size and complexity of the foundation.
As the soil in the industrial area is contaminated and of poor quality, this was a key design consideration as the foundations and piers were also constrained by the on-site flood protection plan.
Technical sheet:
Project Owner: Toronto Waterfront
Architect firm: Grimshaw Architects
Preliminary structural design: schlaich bergermannpartner (sbp)
Structural Engineer: Intuition
General Contractor: EllisDon
Manufacturer: Cherubini Bridges & Structures
Detailer: Tenca Steel Detailing Inc.
Installer: ES Fox Ltd.
Installation Engineer: Harborside Engineering Consultants
Geotechnical Engineers: Thurber Engineering Ltd.
Civil Engineer: Planmac Engineering Inc.
Electrical & Lighting: Mulvaney & Banani Lighting Inc.
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