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.
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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.
There are plans to replace the bridge.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ 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.” mirror
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Toronto Port Lands Company – Revitalization Opportunities for the Port Lands – Supplementary Report, City of Toronto, 2011-09-21. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.