April 2017 Construction to Resume – Trail to Remain Closed to July

With above zero temperatures now the norm, construction crews will be returning to the work site on the Lower Don Trail next week. To facilitate the construction traffic in a safe manner, the section of trail between Pottery Road and Riverdale Park Bridge will remain closed until July 2017.

For trail users looking to connect to the trail north or south of the closure, the recommended detour remains via Broadview Avenue (view detour map).

We apologize for this extreme ongoing inconvenience, but unfortunately the contractors and City project team were previously overly optimistic with the date for re-opening the trail in the spring.  City staff have pressed for the trail to be reopened as soon as possible, but with public safety concerns on site, July remains the projected date for reopening.

Belleville Rail Underpass tunnel in progress

On the positive side, major works have been accomplished, such as the installation of the trail bridge at Pottery Road, and more recently the main concrete work for the Belleville Rail Underpass tunnel.

The next tasks will include large amounts of soil movement for grading and drainage works.  After this, crews will be planting, repairing sections of trail, paving, top soil placement, grading and seeding.

The City is also looking forward to required works by Metrolinx related to their rail crossing, to allow for the connection of the trail across the new Pottery Road bridge to the new Bayview multi-use trail to Rosedale Valley Road.

We can’t wait to post an update this summer celebrating the opening of this much improved section of the Toronto’s fantastic ravine trail network.  Thank you again for your patience.

Learn more about the Lower Don Trail Improvements at toronto.ca/lowerdon

 

Trail Still Closed – Concrete Work in Progress

Unfortunately Lower Don Trail will remain closed between Pottery Road and Riverdale Park Bridge in to spring 2017.

This extended closure is caused by unforeseen underground site conditions and challenges with 3rd party existing infrastructure in the work zone.

Heavy concrete trucks are travelling in the work area now. Please respect the trail closure that is in place for your own safety. See recommend detour route map via Broadview Ave below or at this link .

The new Bayview Ave multi-use trail is now passable from Pottery Road to Rosedale Valley Road, which makes a good alternate route connecting west to the Brick Works, The Beltline Trail or into the city.

More update information…

The project team has been hard at work on the Belleville Rail Underpass portion of the project.  Sub-grade works have been complete with the placement of the final caisson and the advancement to the structure works.  The footing concrete and associated rebar have been placed with our crews working on forming the accompanying wingwalls and retaining walls.

At the Pottery Road segment of work, contractors have been excavating and grading the pathway connection from Bayview to the new Pottery Structure.  They are coordinating with the railway to create an appropriate at-grade crossing plan. Please note the new trail bridge is not yet open.

Please be reminded that construction activities and the associated truck traffic pose a risk to the public.  We have to stress that all parties respect the trail closure that is in place as it is for the safety of the public.  Unfortunately, it has been observed that some individuals choose to disregard the signage, fencing, site personnel and closure.  The act of disregarding this closure can pose a risk not only to yourself but to others as well.

See recommend detour route map via Broadview Ave below.  Bayview Multi-use trail is also now passable from Pottery Road to Rosedale Valley Rd.

Pottery Rd. Reopened Sunday after New Trail Bridge Installed Ahead of Schedule

Pottery Road is open again to vehicles and pedestrians ahead of schedule following the successful installation of the new trail bridge on Saturday.

Thanks to some professional crane operators, great project team work, and follow through on commitments by Mother Nature, the new pedestrian-cycling bridge is now in place and the weekend construction area closures have been removed.  Thank you, trail users and motorists, for your patience.

Trail users can again connect to the Lower Don Trail north of Pottery Road to Beechwood and also to the trails in Crothers Woods.  Sorry, but the Lower Don Trail, south of Pottery Road, will remain closed in to late fall for the challenging construction of the Belleville Underpass.

The new Pottery Road bridge itself will not be open until connecting pathways are completed – stay tuned to this blog!

The new bridge will connect the Lower Don Trail to the new Bayview Multi-use trail, separated from the roadway with a guide rail, now under construction (see drawings on panel #12 under Phase 1 Construction on the project web page)

We hope you all have a delightful Sunday!

Pottery Rd. & Trail Closures August 27-28 for New Trail Bridge (more details)

[Update August 28: Pottery Rd. Reopened Sunday after New Trail Bridge Installed Ahead of Schedule]

This weekend, Pottery Road is closed and the Lower Don Trail is closed to and from Pottery Road going north and south.  That means no trail access south of Beechwood Drive/Don Mills through to Riverdale Park. Please avoid this area.

Access from the trails in Crothers Woods to and from Pottery Road will also be closed. 

See map and more details below…

The good news:

The Pottery Road new pedestrian/cycling bridge is being placed the weekend of August 27-28! It will connect the new Bayview Avenue multi-use trail, now under construction, to the Lower Don Trail as part of Lower Don Trail improvements.

 

The bad news:

Bridge installation requires the following closures the weekend of Aug. 27-28:

 

Pottery Road:

Pottery Road between Bayview Avenue and Broadview Avenue will be closed to all through traffic the weekend of August 27-28, beginning 6 a.m. Saturday. Local access only to Fantasy Farms and Todmorden Mills will be maintained from Broadview Avenue.

Cyclists coming down Pottery Road from Broadview will not be able to connect to the Lower Don Trail. Same goes for pedestrians, skateboarders, incline skates, and uni-cyclists. Sorry.

 

Lower Don Trail, north of Pottery Road:

The trail will be closed south of Beechwood Drive/Don Mills. Any trail user arriving at Pottery Road will be turned back up the trail. There is no exit during construction.

 

Lower Don Trail, south of Pottery Road:

This portion of the trail is already closed, from Pottery to Riverdale Park, for continuing work on the new Belleville Underpass tunnel.

 

Crothers Woods Trail, north of Pottery Road:

The trail will be closed at the top of the hill leading down to Pottery Road. Any trail users arriving at Pottery Road will be turned back up the trail. There is no exit during construction.

 

The Worse News:

Unfortunately the closure on Lower Don Trail, south of Pottery Road, will be extended in to late fall.  The complications in constructing the Belleville Underpass tunnel continue to be a serious challenge for our construction contractors.  I know, this is really  frustrating and annoying.

As a positive distraction,  try the new Bloor Street bike lanes, which we just installed!   Ya! Let’s just talk about Bloor, right?   (sigh)

Pottery Rd. Closed August 27-28 for New Trail Bridge Placement

The Pottery Road new pedestrian/cycling bridge is being placed the weekend of August 27-28.

Recreational trail users heading south from Don Mills will be rerouted back north to avoid the conflict with the cranes while they are placing the bridge. 

This bridge placement unfortunately requires that Pottery Road will be closed during the time required to place the bridge.  At Bayview Avenue intersection with Pottery Road expect a full barrel closure of both north and south bound turning lanes to Pottery Road.  From Broadview Avenue only local traffic travelling to Todmorden Mills and Fantasy Farm will have access to proceed.  Police will be on site to monitor the cranes from both sides, as well as at the Pottery – Broadview intersection.

Recreational trail users heading south from Don Mills will be rerouted back north to avoid the conflict with the cranes while they are placing the bridge.

As soon as the bridge placement is complete the roads will be opened, but please plan your routes to avoid this closure on the weekend of August 27-28

Here is an artist rendering of what the new bridge will look like.

Photos of the actual bridge in place will follow soon. Future photos may or may not include a kid with a yellow balloon.

Have a great weekend.

 

Trail to Remain Closed through August

The Pottery Road bridge project is progressing well however the Belleville Underpass reconstruction project has unfortunately had several challenges in construction.  These challenges include:

1. A redesign and additional excavation caused by an unforeseen condition encountered during construction, and
2. Engineering difficulties observed with the progress of the installation of the 26 caissons (supports) for the rail underpass.

Unfortunately this slower progress means that the trail will remain closed longer than first anticipated and likely an additional month until mid August or possibly September.

Fortunately  construction on the proposed detour route of Broadview Avenue is complete, with all lanes open now.

Please consider the long term benefits this underpass will bring as a major improvement when completed.  Your patience while we get there is much appreciated.

New footing for Pottery Road multi-use trail bridge

Some of the construction equipment on site

Rebar prepared for caisson installation

Remember that there is a Police presence on the trail to ensure cyclists are respecting the closure for their own safety.  Be safe and do not trespass through the construction site as trucks are not able to see cyclists safely as they progress in and out of the site along the trail.  Images above show the large equipment in process with very large shoring rigs, concrete trucks and other construction vehicles moving through the trail area between Belleville Underpass and the Pottery Road access.

We sincerely apologize again for this unforeseen and very unfortunate summer trail closure situation. We look forward to announcing the reopening of this section of the Lower Don Trail, with major improvements to be enjoyed for generations to come.

 

 

Do Not Enter Construction Zone, please

A serious and important update:

RECREATIONISTS ARE AT RISK WHO TRESPASS INTO CONSTRUCTION ZONE

Contractors have alerted the City that cyclists and joggers are still trying to navigate their way through the active construction zone.  They will be rerouted back.  The construction zone has very heavy equipment with limited visibility; including large caisson drilling cranes, concrete trucks, soil trucks.  This is a major infrastructure component and the construction zone needs to be secure for everyone’s safety.

Please respect the barriers and take the detour routes so this project can be completed ASAP.  Police presence will enforce these closures.

Thanks to all the cyclists and joggers for your cooperation and again, we apologize for this inconvenience and look forward to completing this project and opening an improved trail experience for you soon.

See new recommended detours in previous blog post.

Alternate Detour to Avoid Broadview

[Update: Broadview Avenue roadway construction is
now substantially complete and all lanes are now open]

Hi all.  Here are two cycling routes to avoid some or all of the roadway construction area on Broadview Ave between Danforth Ave and Pottery Rd. (On foot, you can just walk on the sidewalk using the main Broadview Ave detour)

See map below followed by text description.

Southbound: Turn right and climb up Pottery Rd on the right side trail. Catch your breath and curse about City construction. Continue through to Mortimer Ave, then quick right south (one-way) on Jackman Ave to Danforth Ave.  Turn right on Danforth Ave, westbound to Broadview Ave where you turn left, southbound. Continue on Broadview untill you see the St. Mathew’s Clubhouse at the south end of Riverdale Park East, turn right onto the the trail/driveway that connects to Riverdale Bridge. On the bridge you can go down the stairs in the middle of the bridge to reconnect with the Lower Don Trail (there are troughs for wheeling your bike on the stairs – sorry no ramps, yet!). High fives, you made it!

Northbound: At Riverdale Bridge, go up the stairs (there are troughs for wheeling your bike on the stairs – sorry no ramps, yet!).  Go right, eastbound up the trail to Broadview Ave where you turn left northbound. Continue to Danforth Ave, where you make a left and then a quick first right at Cambridge Ave, (before Bloor Viaduct bridge).  Be careful of southbound traffic at the narrowed entry to Cambridge ave, and also appreciate the planted bump-out, how nice.   Continue north on Cambridge Ave to the end, turn right on Chester Hill Rd (one-way) and then left back on to Broadview Ave (sorry construction area, you may want to walk your bike or take the whole lane with caution). At Potter Rd, enjoy the winding downhill shared lane (you may want to wait until there is less traffic behind you).  After passing under the DVP, turn right back on to the Lower Don Trail northbound, and Bob is your uncle.

And remember to say something nice to construction crews working hard to make Lower Don Trail safer for generations to come.

Be safe out there, and enjoy the sunshine.

[updated] Lower Don Trail Closed Through 2016

Starting Thursday, June 9 at 7 a.m., the Lower Don Trail will be closed between Pottery Road and Riverdale Park Bridge.

We are aiming to reopen the trail for the spring of 2017

This closure is required to facilitate excavation work for an improved tunnel at the Belleville rail underpass.

A detour is possible  using Pottery Rd. and Broadview Ave. (see map below), although there may lane reductions due to construction on parts of Broadview Avenue.

Because of frequent construction vehicles, we cannot provide a detour within the narrow Lower Don park area. We realize this is not an ideal situation and we sincerely apologize again for the inconvenience.

Stay subscribed to this blog for updates.

Spring is Here and The Trail Remains Open

Lower Don Trail Improvements construction work is continuing. While there have been some delays for unexpected required utility work, the new pedestrian and cycling bridge installation, rail underpass replacement, and other upgrades, are expected to be completed by the end of the summer 2016.

The trail will continue to remain open for your use and enjoyment until further notice.

Please take precaution in and around the work areas.