As Rouge National Urban Park celebrates its 10th anniversary, advocates are urging the City of Toronto to expedite the closure of a vital road, Twyn Rivers Drive, that is currently shut down due to safety issues regarding the deteriorating 75-foot Stott’s Bridge.
Pickering Ward 1 Regional Councillor Maurice Brenner stated during a site visit, “Our residents depend on Twyn Rivers and Sheppard as a regular route… that’s now being cut off.” He emphasized the importance of this connector, which is not located in a rural area but in an environmentally protected section of the national park.
The closure affects Twyn Rivers Drive between Sheppard Avenue East in Scarborough and the Twyn Rivers Day Use area west of Woodview Avenue in Pickering. This cutoff has drawn criticism from local officials who feel it divides the park, stating, “Toronto residents, you’re on one side. Pickering, you’re on the other side, and that’s wrong.”
More than a year ago, the bridge was ordered closed after city staff deemed its condition too poor for motor vehicles. Although pedestrians and cyclists can still use it, access remains limited. A recent visit revealed that some closure signage was knocked over, and there were signs of a small fire where barricades used to stand.
Twyn Rivers Drive serves as an official evacuation route for the nearby Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. Residents have expressed frustration, with traffic congestion on alternative routes such as Kingston Road increasing during rush hour.
Former Scarborough MP and environmental minister Pauline Browes highlighted the scenic value of Twyn Rivers Drive, citing it as one of the most beautiful roads in the Rouge, a vital connection for those unable to access park trails.
The City of Toronto has indicated that a permanent replacement for Stott’s Bridge is not expected to begin until early 2027, with no timeline provided for completion. The city's spokesperson, Laura McQuillan, elaborated that safety concerns prompted the closure during a routine inspection, and a full bridge replacement has been confirmed as necessary.
The design and replacement of the bridge involve complexities such as constructing a larger structure to meet current standards, necessitating hydro relocations, tree removals, and various environmental studies. In March 2024, the Toronto city council approved an environmental assessment to consider several bridges within Rouge National Urban Park, including Bailey Bridge and Hillside Bridge, all facing full replacement.
Municipal staff reported that a temporary bridge was dismissed due to cost and limited lifespan, which locals had hoped would be a short-term solution. Brenner criticized both Toronto and Pickering for not allocating funds for bridge maintenance over the years, pointing to the predictable need for replacement.
Experts like Matti Siemiatycki from the University of Toronto’s Infrastructure Institute noted that the bridge issue reflects a broader infrastructure deficit facing many municipalities. He remarked, “When you have more problems than money, this is the type of circumstance you have where projects get deferred and delayed.” Siemiatycki indicated that the actual construction could be relatively swift if adequate planning and prefabrication occurred.
Currently, no sitting councillor represents the area where Twyn Rivers Drive is located, but a byelection is anticipated for the Toronto Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park seat. Brenner hopes the incoming representative will advocate for an expedited bridge project, emphasizing the community’s need for efficient connections. Overall, both local advocates and city officials are pushing for a quicker resolution, with calls for public engagement in the upcoming election to prioritize infrastructure concerns.
