Toronto’s elevated Gardiner Expressway cuts across the full length of the city, acting as both a physical and psychological barrier at grade between the city’s core and its blossoming waterfront.

Waterfront ReConnect is a collaboration between The Bentway, the City of Toronto, the Waterfront Business Improvement Area, and the Toronto Downtown West Business Improvement Area. This national design competition explores the potential for reimaging this street-level obstacle, as a vital point of connection. 

Out of the 6 shortlisted teams, an interdisciplinary jury representing local and international perspectives selected 2 winning design proposals that will be installed along Lake Shore Boulevard at the intersections of York and Simcoe Streets.

These projects serve as demonstrators, testing experimental and innovative approaches, and will be installed in 2022 until the Gardiner Expressway is rehabilitated in this area between 2025-2028.