Cityplace Bridge

[Toronto2008]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

they should have build a short staircase off of each end to make the walk much faster.

Agree 100%. Could have added a more
Welcoming grand staircase and left the ramps for wheeled traffic.

[InTheBeach]

Originally Posted by isaidso

This pedestrian bridge was much needed, but I admit to being jealous of the one Calgary built.

Indeed. This pales in comparison.

But I prefer our Humber pedestrian crossing over both of them.

And honestly, I prefer the crossing over the Gardiner at the foot of Roncesvales to this CityPlace one.

CityPlace can't do anything right.

[Jaborandi]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

I feel the yellow is too washed out. would be much nicer if it was a brighter yellow., plus they should have build a short staircase off of each end to make the walk much faster.

I totally agree. It's a very insipid and tentative shade of yellow. If they are going with yellow, then use a rich yellow like Daisy Duck's beak.

[isaidso]

Or egg yolk yellow.

This bridge is very useful, but depresses the crap out of me. The Calgary one is much nicer:

[Canadian Chocho]

I for one like the bridge. Yes there are nicer bridges in other cities, there are also crappier ones too.

[Taller, Better]

agreed, I think it is a nice little bridge. Obviously there are better ones elsewhere but I wouldn't allow the colour yellow to put me off it.

[AndrewJM3D]

Originally Posted by Canadian Chocho

I for one like the bridge. Yes there are nicer bridges in other cities, there are also crappier ones too.

Ditto. We should stop comparing it to the one in Calgary as well. There is a city that can just throw money around. Toronto at this time can't afford to do that. It's still a pretty cool looking bridge. If you want to see ugly, look at Pickering's new GO bridge.

[Toronto2008]

Didn't the Calatrava bridge in Calgary cost something like $25 million? Wonder how you'd feel at that price here in TO.

But still, if you are gonna go Yellow, go all out

[icemachine]

Originally Posted by AndrewJM3D

Ditto. We should stop comparing it to the one in Calgary as well. There is a city that can just throw money around. Toronto at this time can't afford to do that. It's still a pretty cool looking bridge. If you want to see ugly, look at Pickering's new GO bridge.

I'll wait to pass judgement on the Pickering GO bridge until it gets the skin put on it. Was supposed to be done this fall, but I'm guessing it won't be done until next year due to other delays at the GO station.

But it's not like Toronto has to worry about Metrolinx delivering big projects in the next few years

[MattToronto]

The bridge in Calgary is the difference between a multi-million dollar Calatrava designed bridge and pretty low budget, not very big name, bridge.

Tis life.

[Toronto2008]

Originally Posted by MattToronto

The bridge in Calgary is the difference between a multi-million dollar Calatrava designed bridge and pretty low budget, not very big name, bridge.

Tis life.

Yeah I guess so. But it still doesn't cost much to add in a nice staircase instead of just a ramp.

[monkeyronin]

It doesn't take a big name architect and a massive budget to not paint it a dull yellow with exposed concrete. That metal fencing on the side isn't terribly nice either (clear plastic/glass too expensive? Come on).

[MattToronto]

Originally Posted by Toronto2008

Yeah I guess so. But it still doesn't cost much to add in a nice staircase instead of just a ramp.

The ramp is definitely for overall accessibility.

[Toronto2008]

Originally Posted by MattToronto

The ramp is definitely for overall accessibility.

Obviously it is. I'm saying there should have been stairs as an option, not just a ramp.

[Marcanadian]

The City of Toronto has shut down the bridge already.

The bridge is closed as a result of a number of deficiencies that were identified through an inspection carried out by City staff. City staff are working with Concord Adex and their engineering team to address these deficiencies.

http://www.thegridto.com/city/local-...ge-to-nowhere/

[Filip]

Dear God that thing is hideous. Who in their right mind would design and implement such an abortion?

I know it's Concord, but seriously? This is mocking the entire city right there.

[Taller, Better]

this is a hideous abortion?

Originally Posted by current

Bridge opened Friday Oct 26 Globe article:
Accepting An Invitation to Cross the Yellow Bridge
CHRISTINE MUSHKA
The Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Oct. 26 2012, 9:28 PM EDT
Last updated Friday, Oct. 26 2012, 9:29 PM EDT

...On Friday, the 125-metre-long bridge opened to pedestrians. After the dignitaries cut the ribbon, I joined the crowd to walk across Puente de Luz, or Bridge of Light, one-quarter of which was built in Chile. Spanning Toronto’s busy downtown railway corridor, where the commuter Go Trains marshall and trundle below, it’s a simple yet elegant piece of public art in a city that’s not known for extravagant displays of architectural beauty. Only in Canada could a team of Chinese-Canadian developers join forces with a Chilean sculptor to produce such a delightful, yet utilitarian result. The opening festivities were a multicultural statement of what makes Toronto events special. Chilean music and wine. Lake Ontario wind and construction grit.

Sculptor-designer Francisco Gazitua came from Chile to christen the project. A humble man of great vision, he deflects credit to the team – structural engineer Peter Sheffield, art consultant Karen Mills and Concord Adex architect and vice-president of development Gabriel Leung. They took his poetic dream and made it real, he says. “You’ve got to have a very good engineer to land the dream.” The bridge has to be strong, yet lightweight. It has to span the railway gutter with only one central pier. It has to deal with wind gusts that barrell down the street from the SkyDome and CN Tower, yet handle the weight of 1,000 people. In his workshop in Chile, Mr. Gazitua started with prototypes – some with squared-shaped sections, others with feather-like delicacy – until, after six months of discussions and drawings, the team settled on the system of arches. The sculptural portals on the 60-metre end ramps were built in Chile to echo the arches on the bridge and bring a fanciful personality to the overall structure.

And then there’s that distinctive colour. Historic Front Street has never seen anything like it. It took us a while to get used to the shade suggested by Ms. Mills. The calming yellow plays across the steel – a good contrast against a grey-blue sky and the grey-black tones of the CityPlace high rises. The overall effect looks pricey, but no one would reveal the exact final cost of the bridge on Friday. “The cost of it isn’t as significant as the value,” Mr. Leung said, coyly avoiding the question. When Concord Adex bought the land, it agreed to the City of Toronto’s requirement that a pedestrian bridge be built – at the developer’s cost. Mr. Leung is on the record, though, as saying that Puente de Luz cost about “one-third” of the red Peace Bridge in Calgary, which is almost the same length. It became a source of friction due to its $24.5-million price tag – shouldered by the taxpayers...

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/repor...85/?cmpid=rss1

Oct 26
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

People... the paint is yellow.

It can be repainted.

[InTheBeach]

Originally Posted by Marcanadian

The City of Toronto has shut down the bridge already.

LOL!

And who says that CityPlace isn't going to become a big slum?

This is another the warning sign.

This is the biggest pump and dump scheme that Toronto has ever seen.

[Taller, Better]

Alarmist, much?

[ChesterCopperpot]

Yeah - that's a little bit of an over-reaction