Waterfront Toronto is working to improve pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure in two locations along Queens Quay East. Working with a design from West 8 + DTAH, and in coordination with construction underway on Queens Quay in the Central Waterfront, Waterfront Toronto is building a new stretch of Martin Goodman Trail and sidewalk on the south side of Queens Quay between Yonge Street and Lower Jarvis Street. Improvements are also being made to the on-street bicycle lanes east of Jarvis Street through to the Parliament Street intersection.

When complete, the interim improvements in these two locations will help bridge the gap for pedestrians and cyclists until the full vision for Queens Quay can be built out east of Bay Street and into East Bayfront.

Construction is underway on a 480 metre long stretch of Martin Goodman Trail and 546 metres of new or improved sidewalk on the south side of Queens Quay between Yonge Street and Lower Jarvis Street. A 3.8 metre wide buffer zone will be installed between the road and the 3.2 metre wide trail to protect cyclists from vehicular traffic. The new Martin Goodman Trail and sidewalk is expected to open in early 2013.

As part of this project, Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto will make improvements to on-street bicycle lanes from Lower Jarvis Street east to Parliament Street. The plan reconfigures the roadway to add a 0.8 metre buffer zone between traffic and the bike lanes on both the north and south sides of Queens Quay. 

This buffer zone, and new surfacing along the route, will make for a much more enjoyable and safe cycling experience along this section of Queens Quay. In addition, improvements will also be made at the Parliament Street intersection to enable cyclists to more easily navigate the area. When East Bayfront development allows, Waterfront Toronto will build the off-street Martin Goodman Trail and pedestrian promenade on the south side of Queens Quay.

The transition from the southside Martin Goodman Trail to on-street bicycle lanes on Queens Quay has been designed to be seamless for cyclists.

There are two zones where cyclists transition to on-street bike lanes:

• Parliament Street: For cyclists traveling westbound, the Martin Goodman Trail currently ends at Parliament Street. At the Parliament Street intersection, cyclists will cross the street to access on-street bike lanes on the north side of Queens Quay. The intersection will be completely resurfaced –including the removal of old rail tracks – and bicycle road markings will be painted on the street to help cyclists navigate the intersection. Cyclists traveling eastbound will veer slightly right just before the Parliament Street intersection to access the Martin Goodman Trail.
   
• Lower Jarvis Street: When the Martin Goodman Trail ends at Lower Jarvis Street, cyclists traveling eastbound will veer slightly from the trail to the on-street bicycle lane. Cyclists traveling westbound will cross at the Lower Jarvis Street intersection where they will connect to the Martin Goodman Trail on the southside of the street.