Haydain Neale, 1970–2009
Transit City and Transit Cities
Peeve Patrol
Newsstand: November 23, 2009
The Making of a Medley
Each weekday morning, we pick an image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve!
TORONTO (1963): With Toronto's population now at a staggering 1.8 million, the businessman is finding it difficult to get to his down-town office on time. Above is an image predicted by Mr. N. Bytepusher of what Metro Chair Frederick Gardiner is calling the "Don Valley Parkway," slated for completion in 1966. Picture motorists streaming through Toronto along a beautiful, curving highway beside the Don River at up to 50 miles per hour! The "river of automobiles" will be an appealing compliment to the waterway it follows.
Planned as a four-lane commuter highway, some planners claim that the grass median could some day be paved-over to create two more lanes (as pictured in Mr. Bytepusher's "Flicker" creation), though few expect the route to reach such capacity, especially with the impending construction of the Scarborough Expressway, or with the inevitable raised monorail systems of the future.
Whilst the Don River is mostly only accessible on foot or bicycle, one is excited to imagine oneself finally able to enjoy the delightful scenery from the comfort of one's automobile! And the businessman shall no longer have to answer to his testy secretary for arriving late—or to his wife for returning home to a cooling dinner on the table. It truly is a glimpse of the Year 2000...today!
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"And the businessman shall no longer have to answer to his testy secretary for arriving late—or to his wife for returning home to a cooling dinner on the table. It truly is a glimpse of the Year 2000...today!"
Of course by the year 2000 we'll just consume a few pills a day for nutrients and we'll have hover cars to fly to work!
"his testy secretary for arriving late—or to his wife for returning home to a cooling dinner on the table"
-Because, yes, that's right, we're sure gender roles and sexism will STILL be around in the year 2000.: - )
"Now, where's my Soilant Green, Woman!!?!?!"
And hey, don't forget the delightful scenery that will also be on view when the Crosstown Expressway winds its way through Toronto's scenic midtown ravines!
I don't get it. Isn't that just a photo of the DVP?
Jeremy: I chose the shot because seeing a highway without any cars on it is an unusual and striking thing. In this case, the DVP is Toronto's busiest commuter route, and the thing was overtaxed basically from the moment it was built. Unfortunately, the only time we see empty highways is when they're under construction; not because we're don't need them anymore.
Love this.
Thanks for the attention folks.
The DVP seems to be one of the few urban expressways in North America without any sound barriers along the most densely populated part of its route (i.e. south of Don Mills). Anybody who lives near it knows the noise is incredible. I realize we'd never do anything as radical as shut it down and increase GO service to Thornhill. So how about imposing significant tolls on DVP users and using the proceeds to build a structure over it with a roof and walls?