As previously noted the Don Trail south of Queen Street to just north of Lakeshore Blvd will be closed temporarily to facilitate the expansion of the CN Rail Bridge. This bridge work will aid in protecting 210 ha (520 ac) of land west of the river which is currently at risk of flooding in an extreme storm event. This section of trail will be fully upgraded with a new, widened section under the rail bridge and a new underpass connecting to Mill or Front St. and the future West Don Lands community.

The future is now the present and the trail is barricaded on both sides of the construction zone. Don't make the mistake of cycling south of Queen St., as you'll only be turned back and the resultant cul-de-sac is likely to feel "unsafe," particularly after dark, over the next year or so.

The trail is slated to re-open in Spring 2007. In the meantime you can still exit/enter the trail at the staircase at Queen Street.

Commuters will want to consult the Toronto Bike Map for alternate route ideas. It's worth noting that the one-way southbound portion of Logan between Lakeshore and Queen will soon have a northbound contraflow bikelane that will allow an easy alternate route to the trail. Straight up Logan from the Lakeshore path to Gamble, then Broadview/O'Connor, re-entering the trail system at Beechwood Road. Southbound cyclists will exit at O'Connor, then Pape, Gowan and all the way south on Carlaw to Lakeshore.

Owen Rogers
webadmin@biketoronto.ca