The Glen Road Pedestrian Bridge and Tunnel is a critical active transportation link in Toronto, connecting Rosedale with North St. James Town across the Rosedale Valley Ravine and beneath Bloor Street East. The City of Toronto retained DTAH to deliver detailed design work for the bridge barriers and railings, along with urban design guidance to enhance visual quality, safety, and user experience.

The project introduces a series of integrated architectural and engineering upgrades to support pedestrian and cyclist safety while strengthening the identity of this important public corridor.

Location

Toronto, Ontario

Client

City of Toronto

Stantec (previously Morrison Hershfield), prime consultant

Awards

Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC), Ontario Engineering Project Award, 2026

Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, Award of Excellence in Steel Construction, 2024

Services

Bridge architecture (detailed design of bridge barriers/railings), urban design

Project Type

Public infrastructure, active transportation

Aerial view of Glen Road Pedestrian Bridge, showing the bridge spanning the forested ravine below.

Key Design Features

Custom V-shaped barrier system with stainless steel webnet outer plane
Durable ipe wood handrails
Concealed LED lighting for improved nighttime visibility
Coloured aggregate deck surfacing to increase traction and visual clarity

Accessibility and Active Transportation Upgrades

Accessibility and universal design were central to the project scope. Improvements include new approach railings, upgraded stairs with bicycle troughs, and a precast concrete multi-use pathway that provides a low-slope accessible route up the ravine slope to Bloor Street East. These interventions create barrier-free connections for users of all ages and abilities, aligning with City of Toronto accessibility and active transportation objectives.

Detail shot of public art panel, depicting stylized shapes of loons in blue with red eyes

Integrated Indigenous Public Art and Placemaking

Public realm enhancements extend into a new wider tunnel, where integrated public art by Couzyn Van Heuvelen animates the space and contributes to placemaking and community identity. Enhanced sightlines through the tunnel and toward the TTC station entrance improve wayfinding, visibility, and user safety.

This project demonstrates a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to infrastructure design, combining urban design, architecture and engineering to deliver a safer, more inclusive, and visually compelling civic space.

DTAH is recognized for our expertise in bridge design, active transportation infrastructure, and public realm design, working effectively with public sector clients, engineers, and stakeholders across Ontario and beyond.