I am all for burying the Gardiner. I am not sure I understand the idea of tearing it down and replacing it with grade level roads. I do get this would include upgrades and widenings of Adelaide and Richmond (where they meet the DVP) as well as the creation of the Front Street extention. This is done in an effort to reduce the pressure on the Lakeshore traffic.
I also understand the desire to tear down the Gardiner for asthetic reasons -- it blocks our connection to the lake and is an eye sore in general (though that point is moot when you consider the curtain of condos we currently have on the lakefront).
I also understand that long term, maintenance on the Gardiner is high. Salt and concrete do not mix well.
Burying it would be really expensive. It won't happen without Federal and Provincial support. Period.
I've thought for some time that it is better to make a purse out of a sow's ear. If we are concerned about how the Gardiner affects our relationship to the waterfront then let's look at figuring out how to better use and beautify the underside.
Work on shifting the traffic of Lakeshore Blvd. (the road that runs beneath the Gardiner) onto other roads. Repurpose those roads into a mix of green space and pedestrian malls in key areas that would connect the lakeshore to the rest of the city.
On top of all of this, there needs to be more and better spent money on public transit. It has to be cheaper and more efficient to take the TTC than it is to park downtown. Looking at public transit in places like Singapore and London, England I can't help but wish we had similarly efficient and widespread systems in Toronto.
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"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
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