Love it or hate it, the Gardiner Expressway is a key part of Toronto’s waterfront. And, according to a new poll, a majority of Torontonians think we should leave it alone.
The survey conducted by Ipsos Reid for Global News found that only 44 per cent of respondents think the raised highway should be torn down and alternatives considered.
The Gardiner is considered by many to be an eyesore and supporters of its demise claim it’s holding back development of Toronto’s waterfront. Critics of the plan say removing an integral route in and out of the downtown core will cause traffic chaos.
Ipsos Reid pollster John Wright says people are still waiting for a viable alternative to tearing down the Gardiner.
“People are very much focused, not simply on the aesthetic value of the waterfront, but more importantly, what you do in terms of transportation,” said Wright.
Waterfront Toronto, the organization responsible for development along the lakefront, continues to explore the idea and hopes to reveal options early next year.
Chair Mark Wilson says it’s important to remember that the proposal would only remove the eastern portion of the expressway from Jarvis Street to the Don Valley Parkway.
“The section of the Gardiner we’re looking at is where the waterfront is being re-developed, said Wilson. “It’s important right now that Torontonians have an informed and full set of options to debate.”
Wilson added that the process will take at least another two years, because of the extensive consultation in this type of environmental assessment.
While opinion still remains mixed on the Gardiner, the poll shows stronger feelings towards the recent influx of towering residential buildings that line a stretch of downtown near Lake Ontario.
Only one-third of those polled (33%) agreed that building more condominiums along the Toronto lakeshore is a good idea. And of those who supported more development, only 7 per cent strongly agreed with the statement.
Concord Adex Development Inc., the company behind the massive City Place complex just west of the Rogers Centre, believes the project is still beneficial for the city and makes the best use of popular lake views.
“As long as the design and the built form of the buildings next to the lake is sensitively done, we don’t really see an issue,” said Gabriel Leung, the company’s director of development.
Wright says it’s all a matter of density and maintaining a waterfront that you can live and play in.
“The waterfront isn’t simply meant to be water, but it’s finding that careful balance,” Wright said. “People have seen an awful lot of construction and they’d probably like to see a bit of a moratorium.”
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