Mobilization for construction of Area 2 started the week of March 11, 2024.
LATEST PROJECT UPDATES
Mobilization for construction of Area 2 started the week of March 11, 2024.
Notice of Construction for Area 2 has been posted on the website.
Public Notice for Canadian Navigable Waters application for Area 2 has been posted on the website and is available for comments
PREVIOUS PROJECT UPDATES
Construction for Area 3 finished in July 2023.
Project Location
The project is located southwest of the intersection of Eglinton Avenue East and Don Mills Road, in the City of Toronto. The project area is along a section of the West Don River that flows through the Ernest Thompson Seton Park. There are three erosion hazard sites within the project area, identified as Area 1, Area 2, and Area 3 (see map below).
Learn More About the Project
Project Progress Tracker
Click Here for Past Steps!
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Erosion Risk Analysis & Geomorphic Assessment 2019 to 2020 |
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Notice of Intent November 19, 2020 |
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Development of Concept Alternatives Fall 2020 |
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Public Information Centre Meeting #1 February 25, 2021 |
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Selection & Analysis of Preferred Alternative Spring/Summer 2021 |
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Public Information Centre Meeting #2 May 13, 2021 |
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Preparation of Project Plan Fall 2021 |
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Notice of Filing & Public Review of Project Plan Spring 2022 |
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Notice of Project Approval* Spring 2022 |
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Planning & Implementation* Fall 2022 to 2025 |
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– Marks points of public consultation as per the Class EA process. Public consultation will continue throughout project planning and implementation via website updates, mailing lists, public notices, and project signage.
* All future project stages and dates are tentative and subject to change.
Project Background
In the late 1960s, TRCA constructed 18 erosion control structures along the West Don River between Eglinton Avenue and Overlea Boulevard. The erosion control structures include revetments, retaining walls, and slope treatments. These structures protect public lands, parks, and sewer infrastructure.
TRCA has been monitoring the structures within E.T. Seton Park for decades as part of the Erosion Hazard Monitoring Program. Recent monitoring shows that many of the erosion control structures are failing and no longer working as intended.
Instead of fixing one failing structure at a time, TRCA wants to find a comprehensive solution for the erosion issues in the project area. With this goal, TRCA hired Palmer Environmental Consulting Group (Palmer) to complete a geomorphic assessment and an erosion risk analysis. Palmer studied the watercourse activity within the project area, identified areas of concern and made recommendations for each existing erosion control structure.
Based on Palmer’s study, three (3) Priority Areas were identified within the project area where parkland, trails and/or sewer infrastructure is at risk. TRCA intends complete maintenance work at these sites to ensure public health and safety.
Background Reports
Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA)
To find the best solution for the three sites, TRCA completed Conservation Ontario’s Class Environmental Assessment for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects (Class EA).
Conservation Authorities have approval to use this process for projects that will protect human life and property from flood or erosion problems.
The Class EA process outlines the steps required to determine the best solution for addressing erosion hazards. Under the Class EA, a variety of alternative solutions were developed for each erosion site.
TRCA reviewed the options and along with other stakeholders has selected a preferred conceptual design for each site. The preferred conceptual designs are the best solutions for erosion protection. It also mitigates or avoids the environmental effects that may be caused by the project.
Feedback from public consultation is also important during this process. TRCA hired Palmer to develop alternative solutions and assist with the Class EA.
The Class EA process guarantees opportunities for public and stakeholder participation throughout the planning stages of the project. Please see the Public Consultation section for more details.
Scope of Work
Current Steps:
- Mobilization for Construction Implementation for Area 2
Future Steps:
- Obtain all necessary permits and approvals for Area 1
- Construction of preferred alternative (pending availability of funding and receipt of all permits and approvals) for Area 1
Past Steps:
- Selection of preferred conceptual designs for erosion concerns through the class EA process
- Completion of review/comment period (ended on May 13th, 2022) for the Project Plan, which outlined preferred design alternatives
- Construction implementation for Area 3. Construction for Area 3 aimed to:
- Protect the river bank to minimize risk to the adjacent West Don Trail
- Improve ecological functions along this section of the West Don River
- Minimize risk to the existing sanitary sewer infrastructure and stormwater outfall within the Project Area
Construction Information
Mobilization for construction of Area 2 started the week of March 11, 2024.
Information about the project area, trail closure, detour route, and construction timeline for Area 2 can be viewed on the Notice of Construction.
Construction for Area 3 was completed in July 2023.
Construction for Area 1 has not yet commenced.
Public Consultation
The Class EA process guarantees opportunities for public and stakeholder participation throughout the planning stages of a project. Consultation includes local residents, indigenous groups, community interest groups, affected landowners, and various government review agencies.
The consultation process considers concerns about the proposed project when developing alternative solutions and selecting the preferred solution.
TRCA coordinates these consultation opportunities, and then post updates and scheduled meetings to this web page. Details of consultation events held by TRCA for this project is provided below in reverse chronological order:
May 24, 2022:
Minor comments received through the feedback process were addressed and Notice of Project Approval was issued on May 24, 2022.
April 1, 2022: TRCA made the Project Plan as well as the Feedback Form available on the E.T Seton Park Major Maintenance Project Webpage. The Feedback form will be open to the public for comments until May 13th, 2022.
Please click the links below to access:
May 13, 2021: TRCA hosted PIC #2 on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM. The project team presented a detailed analysis of the net effects to the physical, natural, cultural and engineering/technical aspects of the environment from construction of the preferred concepts for each of the three (3) Priority Areas. If you were unable to attend the meeting, please find a recording of the meeting and presentation slides linked below:
Submissions for questions and comments regarding the preferred alternative for each Priority Area and the project’s environmental effects were received until Sunday, May 30, 2021.
In response to comments received through public and stakeholder consultation after PIC #1, the project team presented a new preferred alternative for Priority Area 3 and refined the preferred alternative for Priority Area 1. The updated preferred alternatives are listed below and described in PIC #2 presentation documents:
- Priority Area 1 – Adjacent to Parking Lot: Localized Cut/Benching of Inner Bank & Vegetated Boulder Revetment
- Priority Area 2 – South of Trail Fork: Channel Realignment with Grade Controls
- Priority Area 3 – Adjacent to Archery Range: Vegetated Boulder Revetment and Grade Controls
February 26, 2021: TRCA hosted an online Public Information Centre meeting on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 6:00 PM. The project team presented the concept alternatives and attendees had the opportunity to share their questions and comments about the project. If you were unable to attend, please find links to the recording and all presentation materials in the Public Consultation Documents section below.
Submissions for questions and comments regarding the project and the concept alternatives discussed in the presentation were received until March 14, 2021. These comments are an essential part of the Environmental Assessment process and were used to select the preferred alternative for each priority area.
November 19, 2020: TRCA issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to inform the community that the Class EA for this project has formally begun.
The notice was sent to councillors, community groups, indigenous groups, and other stakeholders. TRCA also published the NOI through flyers in the local neighbourhood and online advertisements.
The NOI requests that individuals contact the Project Manager to participate in the EA process or stay informed of the project.
TRCA invites you to participate in the consultation process for this project. Your input is valued and will be considered in the planning and design process.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
Notice of Project Approval: May 24, 2022
Notice of Filing Document for Review – Project Plan: available for feedback from April 1, 2022 – May 13, 2022
Public Information Centre #2: May 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM
- Public Information Centre Meeting Recording
- Presentation Slides
- Public Comment Form (due May 30, 2021)
- Project Handout Sheet (PIC #2)
Public Information Centre #1: February 25, 2021
- Public Information Centre Meeting Recording (meeting starts at 07:40)
- Presentation Slides
- Project Handout Sheet (PIC #1)
- Public Comment Form (due March 14, 2021)
Notice of Intent: November 19, 2020
Project Updates
Winter 2024 Update:
- Mobilization for construction of Area 2 started the week of March 11, 2024
Winter 2023 Update:
- Area 2 is currently in the final stages of the planning and design phase
- Construction for Area 2 is anticipated to commence early 2024
Summer/Fall 2023 Update:
- Detailed design work for Area 1 and Area 2 is ongoing
Spring 2023 Update:
- Construction for Area 3 has been completed
- Detailed design work for Area 1 and Area 2 have commenced
Winter 2022/2023 Update:
- Construction for Area 3 is currently ongoing
- A detour route has been provided for public access
- The estimated completion date for Area 3 is Spring 2023
Fall 2022 Update:
- Notice of Construction signs installed around Area 3; construction began in October 2022
- Comment period for the Canadian Navigable Waters Application has ended
- Area 3 is currently in the final stages of the planning and design phase
Summer 2022 Update:
- Project is currently in the planning and design phase in anticipation of construction which is tentatively scheduled to begin in Fall 2022
- Public Notice for Canadian Navigable Waters application posted on website
Spring 2022 Update:
- Minor comments received through the feedback process were addressed and Notice of Project Approval was issued on May 24, 2022
- A Project Plan outlining the preferred designs as well as a feedback form has been made available to the public on April 1, 2022, and will continue to be available for comments until May 13, 2022
Summer/Fall 2021 Update:
- Preferred conceptual designs to address erosion concerns for each area have been selected
- A Project Plan outlining the preferred designs will be made available to the public for a 30-day review and comment period
Spring 2021 Update:
- TRCA hosted PIC #2 on Thursday May 13, 2021. Please find links to the recording and presentation materials below:
Winter 2021 Update:
- TRCA hosted an online Public Information Centre webinar meeting on Thursday, February 25, at 6:00 PM. Please find links to the recording and presentation materials below:
- Public Information Centre Meeting Recording (meeting starts at 07:40)
- Presentation Slides
- Project Handout Sheet
- Public Comment Form (due March 14, 2021)
Fall 2020 Update:
- The Notice of Intent (NOI) was published on November 19, 2020 to formally start the Class EA process.
- NOI park signs were installed on December 2, 2020 to inform park users about the project:
Notice of Intent sign posted within E.T. Seton Park to inform park users about the project.
Summer 2020 Update:
- Palmer completed a Geomorphic Analysis and Erosion Risk Assessment for the project area.
- TRCA retained Palmer to undertake a Class EA for the project area.
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
WonJai Jang, Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure
wonjai.jang@trca.ca
(437) 994-9215