To remove the Gardiner Expressway, to free up new land for development and to modernize the Toronto waterfront, I propose that a Gardiner Expressway Extension be constructed extending out into Lake Ontario enclosing the Toronto Waterfront from Humber Bay Shore Park, across Humber Bay, south of or part of the Toronto Islands and connecting to the Don Valley Parkway at its eastern terminus. At least two bridges would be required for access into and out of Humber Bay and Toronto Harbor.
This would enclose a large area of Lake Ontario to be partially filled and used for development by the City of Toronto as it pleases, adding a vast amount of real estate capital to the City of Toronto. University and Yonge Street could be extended into the new developing waterfront area The elevated portion of the Gardiner Expressway would be removed. Surface rapid transit could be included in the design of the Highway to connect with the Yonge and University transit system.
The engineering required has already been done by the Dutch and Japanese. The expertise is there; its simply a matter of political will and commitment to develop our waterfront. The financial cost to the city would not only be offset by the value of the real estate created and could finance all future subway extensions needed by the city.
This is a simple concept of what could be accomplished by men and women with a view to the future of Toronto. This is fiscally possible and would create world attention.
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