Port Lands Flood Protection & Enabling Infrastructure Project (PLFPEIP)

Toronto, Canada

The Port Lands is a 400-hectare district currently undergoing massive development that will see it revitalized for Toronto’s growing population.

Port Lands Flood Protection & Enabling Infrastructure Project (PLFPEIP)

Toronto, Canada

The Port Lands is a 400-hectare district currently undergoing massive development that will see it revitalized for Toronto’s growing population.

The Port Lands Flood Protection & Enabling Infrastructure Project has two primary goals: comprehensive flood protection for the Port Lands, as well as the creation of crucial infrastructure that will support creative and economic growth in the area. Recreational, cultural, and tourist amenities will springboard the Port Lands into the future.

The area is bounded by the Keating Channel/Don River and Lake Shore Boulevard to the north, the Toronto Inner Harbour to the west, Ashbridge’s Bay to the east, and Lake Ontario and Tommy Thompson park to the south.

Entuitive was retained by Waterfront Toronto as the Prime Consultant for the PLFPEIP Bridges and Engineering Contract. Managing eight subconsultants, Entuitive’s scope includes the design and construction of four new signature bridges (Cherry Street North Road and LRT Bridges, Cherry Street South Bridge, and Commissioners Street Bridge) and the demolition of the existing Cherry Street Bridge. The project is using the Design-Bid-Build Method, utilizing a Construction Manager, with bridge construction expected to be completed by the end of 2021. The bridge foundations and substructure are currently under construction and the first bridge steel superstructure is being fabricated.

Entuitive has designed all four bridges to serve as elegant, modern landmarks significant to the city. The bridges will accommodate vehicular traffic, an interim BRT, future LRT, dedicated bike lane, and generous sidewalks that will double as public space.

The bridges are steel tied arch structures using open steel plate/shell elements with many of the plates in double curvature. The bridge lengths vary from 56.1 m to 151.8 m. Foundations for the bridges are drilled piers varying from 1.8 m to 2.4 m in diameter socketed into bed rock.

The poor soil overburden conditions, irregular bridge configuration, and Major Route Category of two of the bridges made it necessary to complete a seismic assessment using Elastic Dynamic Analysis. Detailed vehicle-induced vibration has been completed for the bridges, including design for provisional tuned mass dampers.

location

Toronto, Canada

Budget

$140 M

Role

Prime Consultant; Structural Engineering Consultant; Construction Administration Lead

Toronto Urban Design Awards – Special Jury Award for Catalytic Infrastructure

Toronto Urban Design Awards

Architect

Grimshaw

Client

Waterfront Toronto

Size

Cherry Street North Bridge – 56 m; Cherry Street South Bridge – 110 m; Commissioners Street Bridge – 150 m; Lake Shore Road Bridges – 100 m; Port of Toronto Railway Bridge – 100 m

2022 Awards of Excellence in Steel Construction: Favourite Project; Bridge Projects; and Erection, Ingenuity, Constructability

Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC)

Learn more about how Entuitive approaches engineering challenges, and discover why Engineering Performance matters for your project.

Port Lands Flood Protection & Enabling Infrastructure Project (PLFPEIP)