The City of Toronto and the Government of Canada announced a partnership to fund the extension of the West Toronto Railpath multi-use trail that will connect residents and visitors with new areas of the city.
Under the funding agreement the federal government will provide $23 million from its Active Transportation Fund, while the City will contribute $125.7 million.
“Expanding the West Toronto Railpath will connect even more communities and make it easier for people to enjoy our city by walking, cycling or taking transit. Partnership between all levels of government made this possible. Working together, we can connect communities, provide more active transportation options and create new opportunities for sustainable travel. Thank you to Councillor Alejandra Bravo, our federal partners and the residents of Davenport for their advocacy on this project,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto.
The project will see the existing 2.1-kilometre trail doubled in length, with an additional two kilometres of trail extending south from Dundas Street West at Sterling Road to Abell Street at Sudbury Street, as well as the construction of four new pedestrian-cycle bridges. Construction will begin in mid-2025.
“The West Toronto Railpath is beloved by Davenport residents. Not only will it benefit the local community who love the Railpath to walk, run and cycle – this extension will also support our local economy,” said Julie Dzerowicz, MP for Davenport.
The extension is part of the City’s Major City-wide Cycling Routes under the Cycling Network Plan and will encourage sustainable transportation options by making it easier for commuters to connect to the Bloor GO Station and the upcoming King-Liberty Station.
“The West Toronto Railpath’s innovative use of public land connects members of our community to local parks, schools, and other community hubs. Today’s investment will help the West Toronto Railpath reach even more people and encourage active transportation that will help Toronto meet our climate action goals. Residents of Davenport have long dreamed of and advocated for this project, which will benefit those walking, rolling, and cycling on the West Toronto Railpath in the coming years,” said Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Davenport).
The West Toronto Railpath follows the trade route that Indigenous peoples would take from the Davenport Trail to the receding Lake Iroquois, following Roncesvalles Avenue. This route was later used as the path of a railway that started in 1871.
The first phase of the West Toronto Railpath from Cariboo Avenue to the Dundas Street West Overpass was completed in 2008.
Realignment of the existing Railpath between Wallace Avenue and Bloor Street West began in August 2022.
Metrolinx will build the West Toronto Railpath Extension on behalf of the City.
Featured image: (City of Toronto)
