Is it time for a bridge to Toronto Island? One councillor says so

A city councillor is urging his colleagues to get behind his push to build a bridge to Toronto Island, a move he says will open up one of the city's largest parks for thousands of people who live downtown.

Coun. Jon Burnside is behind the latest bid to build what he calls a "fixed link" between the city and its island, which currently is only accessible by ferry. But access to those ferries has been strained in recent weeks and the city has budgeted $85 million to replace two of the four boats.

A motion from Burnside, coming to city council this week, asks city staff to explore the option to create the bridge and to compare the cost of building it to the "skyrocketing" costs of the continued ferry fleet service. The veteran councillor says the bridge would act only as a crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles and would not open the island to more vehicle traffic.

"This isn't a novel idea, but I think it's time has come," Burnside said. "We try to create this inclusive city and it feels like we have the gem of our city, the Toronto Island. But so many people don't have access to it."

Toronto's ferry fleet carries more than 1.4 million passengers a year and has a combined capacity of 2,400 passengers. But the city says the current ferries are between 61 and 114 years old and are beyond the average industry lifespan.

If passed, the motion would see staff prepare a study, taking into account the number of pedestrians and cyclists that could be accommodated year-round by a bridge to the island. That report would be sent back to the city's infrastructure committee before the next ferry procurement contract comes to council for approval later this summer.

Costs to replace ferries have 'skyrocketed': councillor

The city is expected to award a construction contract to a shipyard this August to replace two of its aging vessels with a pair of electric ferries, moving away from the diesel-burning boats currently in use. The ferries are expected to be delivered by 2026 and 2027.

In May, staff said the city's capital budget includes $85 million for the ferry replacement, but could not say if that will be the final cost to taxpayers. Multiple changes to increase the scope of the contract and cost have been approved by council since 2015.

"The city is in the process of replacing those ferries, but the costs have skyrocketed," Burnside's motion says. "Torontonians value their parks and greenspace but were recently told not to visit the islands due to excessive demands on the ferries."

Two of the city's ferries are currently out of service and are expected to remain that way for several weeks. Earlier this month, the city warned people travelling to the island that they may want to explore other options to get there instead of the ferries, including water taxis or choosing another day to visit.

"We have so many people in the downtown area and the closest thing they will ever have to a cottage is Toronto Island," Burnside said. "And we're limiting access."

Hopes for a debate on value for money

Coun. Parthi Kandavel, who seconded Burnside's motion, said the restricted access to the island sends the wrong message to the city. 

"It's unacceptable that we've reduced service to two ferries, and we're putting out a message to not come out to the island," he said. "So we need a solution that's equitable and increases access to thousands of Torontonians."

Kandavel said he hopes Burnside's motion kicks off a broader debate on council about the value for money of the ferry purchases when they're compared to a new fixed link to the island.  

"This begins a conversation about cost efficiency," he said. "What's the long-term investment? What's the better opportunity here?"

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, who represents the ward home to Toronto Island, said she supports a "thoughtful approach" to a fixed link to the island. But she wouldn't say if she will vote in favour of Burnside's motion.

She stressed that the short and medium-term solution to increasing access to the island is the ferry replacement project.

"That needs to be moving forward and we have to be putting those boats into the water as soon as possible," Malik said.

Downtown resident and former council candidate April Engelberg ran in 2022, pledging to build the bridge to the island. A 250-metre lift bridge could be built to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists and also ensure cargo ships travelling to the port would still have easy access. 

"It was only 250 metres," she said recently on CBC Radio's Metro Morning. "I would say we've done much more complicated things in the city."

No bridge in proposed Toronto Island Park master plan

At a Tuesday news conference, the city presented a proposed plan for the Toronto Island Park for the next 25 years. The report, however, makes no mention of building a bridge or a "fixed link" to the island. 

Howie Dayton, general manager of the city's parks, forestry and recreation division, said the main priority remains to help more visitors and residents access the island.

"There were comments for and against the fixed link and the report itself doesn't exclude the possibility of other access approaches," Dayton said at the Tuesday news conference.

"While not directly speaking to that and pending council's direction, staff would of course move forward with that study in a proper way."

The staff report recommends that the city spend nearly $142 million from 2024 until 2033 on improvements to the island.

The 25-year plan highlights six goals for the island:

• Creating a space to support Indigenous ceremonies and programming. The vision for the place will be co-developed with Indigenous communities for "cultural markers, gateways and the cultural narrative trail."
• Supporting the island's natural environment, including flood mitigation improvement and identifying opportunities to expand, improve and protect habitat.  
• Improving access and connection to the island, including ferry fleet replacement, upgrading the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and expanding bike rentals.
• Enhancing visitor experience by updating the island's website, expanding year-round facilities, improving food and beverage options and studying the feasibility of a welcome centre. 
• Elevating equity and belonging by making improvements to park accessibility and improving access to underused park areas.
• Celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ significance by developing a community safety strategy for Hanlan's Island and Beach, restoring and protecting the beach's dune habitat, developing a Hanlan's cultural heritage study and acknowledging its significance to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The report will go before the city's infrastructure and environment committee on July 3 before heading to city council for consideration later that month.

Mayor Olivia Chow said Monday that council will take Burnside's motion for consideration but did not say if she will vote in favour of it.

"We'll look at how much it costs, the city really needs to focus on the state of good repair … we need to fix what we have," Chow told reporters at an unrelated news conference. "

"We'll consider that but we really don't have extra funds at this point."