Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the City of Toronto, is undertaking the Palace Pier Court Headland Maintenance Project in order to protect against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns.
Project Location
The project area is located at the base of Palace Pier Court, near Humber Bay Shores Park along the north shore of Lake Ontario, in Etobicoke, City of Toronto. The area of concern includes an armourstone revetment and a gravel trail located along the shoreline.
Learn More About the Project
Project Background
The armourstone headland and adjacent gravel trail were heavily damaged during the April 14-15, 2018 windstorm event. High winds and strong waves caused shifting and displacement of armourstone material as well as washout of the adjacent gravel trail. Since this storm, site conditions have continued to deteriorate due to ice buildup during the winter months and record high Lake Ontario water levels in 2019.
In 2019, TRCA retained GHD Limited to develop detailed designs for repair of the headland and trail in order to address ongoing erosion concerns and restore the shoreline to a state of good repair.
The design includes reconstructing the shoreline erosion control structure using both existing and new stone material and rebuilding the gravel trail. This work will provide greater protection to the trail and upland areas, providing long-term erosion control and reducing the risk to public safety.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for this project includes the following components:
- Site preparation, including installation of sediment and erosion control measures and construction fencing
- Removal of existing stone material along the shoreline
- Installation of a new armourstone revetment
- Installation of a new reinforced gravel trail
- Site restoration, including tree and shrub plantings
Construction Information
Shoreline repair works were completed from late October to December 2020. Final site restoration is scheduled to take place in Spring 2021, as weather conditions allow. To ensure public safety, the previous work area (highlighted in red on the map) will remain closed until site restoration is complete. Please respect all fencing that remains on-site and do not enter the closed area.
When restoration takes place in Spring 2021, the areas of the map highlighted in orange will also be closed to facilitate restoration work. The work is anticipated to take 2-3 weeks in duration. During construction hours, equipment will cross the multi-use trail at the designated crossing point to transport material to the restoration site. The multi-use trail will remain open during the workday for public use and Traffic Control Persons will be on-site to stop pedestrian and cyclist traffic when equipment is crossing the path. During this time, the trail crossing will be fully open with no interruptions to traffic flow on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
For your safety and the safety of others, please obey all posted construction signs and stay clear of the work area and equipment. Your cooperation and patience with this undertaking is appreciated.
Public Notices
Notice of Construction signs will be placed at applicable park entrances and along affected trail routes. Notice of Construction letters will be circulated to members of the local community prior to construction. Please see below for the Notice of Construction signage and letter.
Palace Pier Court – Spring 2021 Restoration
Palace Pier Court – Notice of Construction Signage
Palace Pier Court – Notice of Construction Letter
Project Updates
October 29, 2020
Construction crews mobilized on-site this week. Site setup has begun, including the establishment of perimeter fencing, staging and stockpiling locations, and erosion and sediment control measures. Brief, periodic trail closures of the main path are in effect. Please follow detour routes and obey flagpersons directing traffic.
November 11, 2020
Site setup is complete and in-water works have commenced. Placement of toe and slope stone has started at the eastern end of the structure.
November 25, 2020
Progress continues along the revetment. Toe, slope and crest stones have been placed on the eastern half of the structure, and work progresses along the western half.
December 15, 2020
Construction of the revetment and repair of the adjacent trail is complete. Crews have demobilized but the site remains fenced off until final restoration can be completed in Spring 2021.
Contact Us
The Planning Team is located at TRCA’s Boyd Field Centre in Vaughan:
Restoration and Infrastructure Division, Engineering Projects
9755 Canada Company Avenue
Vaughan, Ontario
L4H 0A3
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Rebecca Salvatore, Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
rebecca.salvatore@trca.ca
(416) 560-1823