As pointed out by an astute reader, Spacing Wire and Ward 20 candidate Chris Ouellette's blog, there exists another option (that has been getting little media attention) for solving the dual waterfront barriers of the rail tracks and the Gardiner Expressway: the Toronto Waterfront Viaduct.

The proposal calls for a massive, attractive, elevated structure supported by pylons and cables that carries CN, VIA and GO rail traffic, east-west automobile traffic, pedestrians, cyclists and light rail transit vehicles. The plan's website claims it could be built in 2-3 years with virtually no disruption to traffic and for far less money than the cost of an underground tunnel.

We especially love the skyPATH, which is a massive pedestrian/cyclist garden corridor. It reminds us a little of Chris Hardwicke's velo-city, and would form an excellent route in that plan.

Another bonus: we can having iconic bridges without creating Manhattoronto.