Cancelled expressways in Toronto
The cancelled expressways in Toronto were a planned series of expressways in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that were only partially built or cancelled due to public opposition. The system of expressways was intended to spur or handle growth in the suburbs of Toronto, but were opposed by citizens within the city of Toronto proper, citing the demolition of homes and park lands, air pollution, noise and the high cost of construction. The Spadina Expressway, planned since the 1940s, was cancelled in 1971 after being only partially constructed. After the Spadina cancellation, other expressway plans, intended to create a 'ring' around the central core, were abandoned.
1943 City of Toronto Planning Board plan to criss-cross Toronto and suburbs with highways.
Metro Toronto 1954 plan. With some changes, this resembles the currently built network.
The Globe and Mail announces the cancellation of the Spadina Expressway, effectively the end of expressway construction in Toronto.
Part of Don Valley Parkway / Bloor off-ramp as it crosses Bayview Avenue in the Don Valley. Looking north along Bayview.
William R. Allen Road, also known as Allen Road, the Allen Expressway and colloquially as the Allen, is a short expressway and arterial road in Toronto. It starts as a controlled-access expressway at Eglinton Avenue West, heading north to just south of Transit Road, then continues as an arterial road north to Kennard Avenue, where it continues as Dufferin Street. Allen Road is named after Metro Toronto chairman William R. Allen and is maintained by the City of Toronto. Landmarks along the road include the Lawrence Heights housing project, Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Downsview Park, and Downsview Airport. A section of the Line 1 Yonge–University subway is located within the median of the expressway from Eglinton Avenue to north of Wilson Avenue.
Allen Road, looking north from Glencairn Avenue
The Globe and Mail announces the cancellation of the Spadina Expressway, effectively the end of expressway construction in Toronto.
A trailblazer to Allen Road.