The city dreams of stretching the Bentway from Dufferin all the way to the DVP

The downtown portion of the Gardiner Expressway may soon become a destination. Toronto is currently studying how to create a seven-kilometre trail underneath the elevated highway, stretching from Dufferin Street in the west to the Don Valley Parkway in the east.

Part of the space is already home to the Bentway, which exists in short, disconnected public spaces mostly anchored to Fort York and the Exhibition Grounds. The city and the Bentway want to connect it all, creating a continuous path with seating, lighting and public art—without losing any traffic lanes on major roads.

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The Under Gardiner Multi Use Trail study will analyze gaps along the corridor and find opportunities to improve safety, comfort, accessibility and continuity to create a year-round space. An end-to-end multi-use trail was a key recommendation from the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan to create better connections between the waterfront and the rest of the city.

“[A trail] will create a much needed active transportation corridor across the waterfront, unlock north-south connectivity at intersections and provide improved, high quality pedestrian access to the dense communities adjacent to the Gardiner,” said Bentway design manager Josh Harskamp in a statement. “This is a critical city-building project.”

Related: An enormous mural below the Gardiner will soon connect the Bentway to Liberty Village

The Bentway was launched in 2015 and has since hosted a skating trail, roller skating and tons of live performances, and it will soon be the official fan zone site, along with Fort York, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.