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The Bentway continues its long-term work to reimagine the spaces beneath the Gardiner Expressway with an exciting next step, unveiling the first two Gardiner Gateway lighting pilots. New pedestrian-friendly lighting and wayfinding will help brighten the Under Gardiner corridor and support a more welcoming, walkable city, strengthening connections between the waterfront and neighbourhoods to the north, and improving navigation at some of Toronto’s more challenging intersections.
With installation soon to be complete at both Dan Leckie Way (bents 111 and 112) and Bathurst Street (bents 102 and 103), this project marks a significant step forward along the corridor, bringing to life a pilot rooted in a vision for enhanced public realm. At both sites, column-mounted lighting fixtures at each corner of the underpass will be paired with clear wayfinding elements and large-scale painted surfaces. These elements serve as small but powerful changes, designed to make the spaces feel easier to navigate.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Legacy Program
The Bathurst Street installation has been made possible through the support of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Legacy Program, illuminating a key corridor of travel during the World Cup. Throughout the Tournament, and beyond, the illuminated intersections will support increased pedestrian movement, helping fans and residents move intuitively between transit hubs, local neighbourhoods, event destinations, and the waterfront. The project will remain long after the final match, leaving behind permanent public-realm improvements that continue to make Toronto feel more connected, more welcoming, and easier to navigate at night.
“Changes like this can have an outsized impact on how people move through the city. Thoughtful lighting and clear wayfinding make spaces easier to navigate and help people feel more confident and connected —something that is critical to creating a vibrant, thriving waterfront. This project reflects what The Bentway does best: testing ideas that strengthen Toronto today while helping shape a stronger urban future,” said Ilana Altman, CEO, The Bentway.
These two intersections mark an important step forward in realizing the recommendations of the Under Gardiner Public Realm Plan, and they deliver a scalable model for improvements across the Gardiner.
“Gardiner Gateways shows us what is possible when Toronto plans public spaces designed for people. By transforming these underpasses into safer, more welcoming places to walk and gather, the project strengthens community-building in our downtown, improves waterfront connections, and creates a more beautiful city for everyone,” said Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, City of Toronto.
Developed in collaboration with the City of Toronto, Waterfront BIA, CityPlace and Fort York BIA, the project shows how thoughtful, design-led interventions can meaningfully improve visibility, legibility, and atmosphere in dense urban environments. Learnings from this phase are expected to inform a cohesive Under Gardiner lighting strategy, one that could eventually extend from Dufferin Street to the Don Valley Parkway.
“Strong lighting and thoughtful design help make journeys to the waterfront more intuitive and enjoyable. Building on progress along the corridor through our Waterfront ReConnect projects, this work shows how underpasses can be clearer, more inviting, and create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike,” said Oliver Hierlihy, Operations Director, Waterfront BIA.
The project is designed by Light Bureau, an internationally recognized lighting design studio known for its work across complex civic and infrastructure environments. With a portfolio spanning thoughtful and impactful work like the Espenes Rest Stop, Øresund Bridge, and the Fyllingsdal Tunnel, the studio brings a distinctive approach that balances technical precision with atmospheric design. Their experience shaping light in large-scale, high-traffic settings makes them a strong partner for rethinking the Gardiner’s understory not just as infrastructure, but as a connected, legible, and engaging part of the public realm.
These Gardiner Gateways were made possible by a coalition of partners invested in the Gardiner’s future and committed to improving access to Toronto’s waterfront. Partners include: FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Secretariat, City of Toronto, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the Waterfront BIA, CityPlace and Fort York BIA, Concord Adex, Choice Properties, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and PowerlinePlus.
To learn more about The Bentway, visit https://thebentway.ca/.
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