Huge changes planned to ‘transform’ a major Toronto street

A large stretch of Yonge Street through the north end of Toronto is set to see a major glow-up in the coming years.

It has now been four years since City Council endorsed a preferred design concept for its Transform Yonge project, planned to reshape the thoroughfare from just north of Highway 401 to the hydro corridor north of Finch subway station.

The long-approved plan would reduce the roadway down to four lanes of traffic, while transforming the pedestrian realm with the addition of wider sidewalks, patios with street furniture, trees, and other improvements to the streetscape.

Pedestrians who have to navigate what is currently a wide expanse of traffic will benefit from narrower streets, but also improved pedestrian crossings such as new and upgraded signalized intersections.

One aspect of the project that has already faced resistance is the plan to include raised and physically separated cycle tracks, which could be subject to a veto by the province using the controversial Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024.

Since it was first revealed in October, the bill has brought the future of many municipal projects into question. 

Adding further doubt, Doug Ford has personally slammed bike lanes on other stretches of Yonge serving areas of the city with far lower car dependence than in North York and even vowed to tear existing lanes up on Yonge.

Though there are indeed some planned inclusions that would benefit local motorists, like plans for on-street mid-block parking in strategic locations using lay-bys.

Another key element is a planned revitalization of Mel Lastman Square, the central public gathering space along this portion of Yonge.

Following an initial round of the consultation process this past winter, the Yonge North York BIA has incorporated feedback into the latest draft public realm master plan presented this fall. 

A public survey was launched this fall and concludes on November 26, 2024, with feedback on key design and implementation strategies going towards a refined plan that will be revealed next year as public consultation progresses.

Responses from this survey will be reviewed by the project team, which includes staff from Gladki Planning Associates Inc., DTAH, working alongside BIA staff members.

The next stages of the project include the upcoming Detailed Design phase, expected to begin in late 2025 and continue into 2026 with public and interest group consultations.

Construction is planned to follow in 2028, with changes to Yonge Street anticipated to be completed in 2028.

This schedule is still tentative, as the Transform Yonge project’s start hinges on the completion of other nearby infrastructure upgrades including extensions to Beecroft and Doris avenues.