Lower Don River Railway Crossing Commemorative Plaque, 2010
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Resource ID
4960
Access
Open
Address
Lower Don River Trail
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2010
Historical Themes
Program Category
Rights
Heritage Toronto
Caption
Lower Don River Railway Crossing Commemorative Plaque, 2010
Description
The first railway crossing over the Don River was built here in 1856 as part of the Grand Trunk Railway's main line between Toronto and Montreal. This rail link was vital to industry and commerce, connecting Canada's two largest cities and laying the foundation for Toronto's rapid growth as a major economic centre.
In 1892, the Grand Trunk built a new bridge utilizing the original 1856 abutments. The remains of the original eastern bridge abutment can be seen on the opposite riverbank. The current elevated track for the Canadian National Railway was built as part of the grade separation, completed in 1913, which raised the railway above the streets to allow safer public access to the lakefront south of here.
In 2007, the Don River was widened in this location for flood-control purposes. The stones from the original 1856 abutment were redistributed as informal seating and as part of the retaining wall for the railway underpass connecting the West Don Lands with the Don Watershed Trail.
Marker lat / long: 43.653771, -79.350587 (WGS84)