Project Overview
The City of Toronto is working to transform John Street into a “cultural corridor” by redesigning the streetscape between Front Street and Stephanie Street.
John Street plays an important role in the network of downtown streets by connecting many of Toronto’s key cultural institutions (such as the Art Gallery of Ontario) with the waterfront. Because of its prominence, John Street is a pedestrian priority route. The John Street Corridor Improvements project aims to create a better experience for pedestrians by enhancing the streetscape. These improvements will lead to an environment that is accessible, beautiful, and pedestrian-friendly, and that accommodates the many events and festivals held along John Street.
Planned Improvements
- Widening sidewalks and boulevards
- Reducing the width of the roadway down to one lane of traffic in each direction between Wellington Street and Stephanie Street
- Creating a gentler slope from the curb to the roadway, allowing the street to be used as a plaza space for events during road closures
- Greening the street by planting additional trees
- Installing new paving materials in the roadway and on the sidewalks to add visual interest and calm traffic
- Adding new roadway, pedestrian, event, and traffic lighting
- Installing public art
With these improvements, John Street will become a destination street in downtown Toronto that prioritizes pedestrians, is bike-friendly, and hosts many special events and festivals.
John Street is a central urban street in downtown Toronto, and is home to many of the city’s major cultural institutions. In 2012 the City of Toronto completed the John Street Corridor Improvements Environmental Assessment Study, which included a comprehensive public consultation program.
The Environmental Assessment received approval in December 2012 to make improvements to John Street. You can access the full Environmental Assessment report here.
The John Street Corridor Improvements detailed design phase began in 2014
Information coming soon.