Descriptive Transcript: Lake Shore Boulevard East Transformation
This is a descriptive transcript for: Lake Shore Boulevard East Transformation Video
Music starts.
[DESCRIPTION: An aerial shot moves east over a red and white bridge and river channel.]
[AUDIO:]
The Lake Shore Boulevard East project is a critical part of our work to protect the eastern waterfront from flooding.
[DESCRIPTION: The aerial shot continues eastward, revealing a highway on the left with cars moving along it.]
[AUDIO:]
It integrates key elements of the Port Land's flood protection project with portions of the city of Toronto's Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard reconfiguration. Once complete, East West travel will be smoother for everyone, whether you're driving, biking, or walking.
[DESCRIPTION: Various construction sites, patches of greenery, and industrial areas appear on the right, while the highway on the left curves northward.]
[AUDIO:]
We're on track to finish this project by the end of 2025. Here's a look at what's underway and some exciting milestones to come.
[DESCRIPTION: The aerial pans left, revealing a newly built roadway alongside a river system. Nearby, cars travel east–west along an adjacent road.]
[AUDIO:]
The rebuilt Don Roadway comes into view. Set to open later this fall, it has been raised to a higher elevation for flood protection. It's also been redesigned with pathways dedicated for cyclists and pedestrians.
[DESCRIPTION: A blue marker identifies the newly built road as the Don Roadway, while two green highlights indicate new pathways running alongside it.]
[AUDIO:]
Once complete, it will reestablish a vital north south connection linking Don Roadway to Commissioner Street and the multi-use trail along Lake Shore Boulevard. From here, people will be able to travel directly onto the lower Don Trail, continuing through Biidaasige Park.
[DESCRIPTION: The aerial shot pans 180 degrees to face south, revealing more of the river, another bridge, and several connecting roads. Green lines highlight the pathways that cross the river and bridge, extending further into the surrounding green space.]
[AUDIO:]
The new Lake Shore Bridge is longer and raised to accommodate the new Don River channel, ensuring long-term flood protection. We're constructing two new spans and renewing the structure underneath to extend its life for decades to come. Once complete, it will feature three lanes in each direction, dedicated turning lanes, and sidewalks.
[DESCRIPTION: Another blue marker identifies the new Lake Shore Bridge, as the camera continues panning to face west, revealing the highway and the connecting river leading into the lake. The camera then pans back, and two blue lines appear on screen, indicating the direction of the new traffic lanes. Blue arrows highlight the dedicated turning lanes.]
[AUDIO:]
The new on-ramp to the Don Valley Parkway is nearing completion. To build it, the ramp was completely realigned to match the new Lake Shore Boulevard. This updated alignment will better connect with the reconfigured road network, creating smoother transitions between the Don Valley Parkway, Lake Shore Boulevard, and the Gardiner Expressway.
[DESCRIPTION: The aerial shot continues to move slowly backward while facing west. Additional blue arrows appear on screen, illustrating the three ramp exit directions. The camera gradually tilts upward, bringing more of the city skyline into view.]
[AUDIO:]
Over the past 6 years, Lake Shore Boulevard East has been completely transformed. By the end of this year, three eastbound and three westbound lanes will open, increasing capacity and improving traffic flow through this critical corridor.
[DESCRIPTION: The aerial camera accelerates while continuing to move backward, still facing west. Two additional blue lines appear, indicating new lanes in each direction. The river and lake gradually recede into the distance.]
[AUDIO:]
The redesign also brings a greener boulevard with wider spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and new landscaping, replacing what was once a bleak stretch of asphalt and concrete.
[DESCRIPTION: The aerial camera continues moving backward at a faster pace, still facing west. Two blue lines appear, marking the added lanes in each direction. In the distance, the river and lake slowly fade from view.]
[AUDIO:]
At Carlaw Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard East, crews are finishing one of the project's most complex intersections with work nearly complete on a realigned roadway, upgraded underground utilities, wider sidewalks, and a new multi-use trail.
[DESCRIPTION: The shot cuts to an aerial view facing east over an intersection. Blue crossing lines highlight the junction, and a blue marker identifies it as Carlaw Avenue and Lake Shore Blvd. East. The aerial slowly zooms forward toward the intersection.]
[AUDIO:]
By the end of this year, the Lake Shore Boulevard East project will be complete, marking a major milestone in flood protection and city building and opening a more efficient, greener gateway to Toronto's waterfront. [Music]
[DESCRIPTION: Renderings depict a future street featuring multiple lanes, greenery, and dedicated bike and walking paths. The view then transitions to past images of the location, showing more asphalt and smaller streets. Another rendering highlights a sidewalk and bike path winding through lush greenery.]
[DESCRIPTION: End screen with the text: "Discover more: waterfrontoronto.ca" along with the logos for Waterfront Toronto, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.]
[Music fades.]