East Humber River (EMS789) Bank Stabilizaton Project

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is undertaking a bank stabilization project to protect a pedestrian bridge and section of the Humber Trail. 

Project Location

The project is located on the Humber Trail, northeast of the intersection of Islington Avenue and Rutherford Road, in the City of Vaughan.

Major maintenance will be conducted near the Sarenhes Bridge which crosses the East Humber River north of the Boyd North Parking Lot on Rutherford Road.

Part of the Humber Trail will be closed during construction. For more details please see the Construction Information section below.

A map of the East Humber River Bank Stabilization project area, showing trail closures and trails which remain open
A map of the East Humber River Bank Stabilization Project area, including trail closures.

Learn More About the Project

Project Background

Erosion on the east bank of the East Humber River is threatening a multi-use trail and the abutment of a pedestrian bridge. TRCA monitors the site annually, and an inspection in 2020 revealed that the erosion area had grown.

This project will address erosion risks threatening public safety and protect the bridge and trail infrastructure.

A steel pedestrian bridge crossing the East Humber River has an exposed abutment with an erosion scour surrounding it
Looking at the east bank of the Humber River, the erosion scour and exposed bridge abutment are visible.

Scope of Work

Major maintenance will be conducted to restore erosion control for bridge and trail protection. The scope of work involves constructing a vegetated stone revetment.

Native plants will be installed throughout the revetment, providing habitat and long-term stability. Minor repairs and improvements to the trail infrastructure surrounding the bridge are also planned.

The work area will be restored with native tree and shrub plantings upon completion of works.

A close-up image of the bridge abutment and erosion scour, including washed out stones which formed part of the original protection
The failure area which threatens the bridge and pedestrian trail will be protected with a stone revetment.

Construction Information

TRCA plans to begin construction in summer of 2022, pending receipt of all required permits and approvals. The anticipated duration is five to six weeks. Native plantings will be installed in fall of 2022, or as weather conditions permit.

To ensure public safety, the section of trail highlighted on the map above in red will be closed for the duration of the work. TRCA will post project information and trail closure signs at all impacted public trail entrances prior to the start of construction.

Work hours will typically be between Monday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During this time, heavy equipment and other vehicular traffic may be travelling on the trail from the Boyd North Parking Lot to the work area. The parking lot will be closed to the public for the duration of the work.

For your safety, TRCA asks the public to please respect all posted construction signs and follow the direction of flag persons. Also, please stay clear of the work area and equipment. Your cooperation and patience is appreciated during construction.

Project Updates

August 12, 2022

TRCA has completed erosion control works. The Boyd North parking lot and a previously closed section of trail are now open for you to enjoy! Restoration of the site will take place this fall.

Newly installed vegetated buttress with open pedestrian bridge

July 28, 2022

Crews are mid way through construction activities. Approximately half of the stone on the revetment has been placed.

Stone revetment and restoration plantings surrounding bridge abutment

July 18, 2022

Construction Crews have mobilized on site. The work area and the trails within it have been closed to ensure public safety.

Excavator working next to bridge abutment

July 3, 2022

Construction is set to begin the week of July 11, 2022.

Spring 2022

TRCA is preparing for the start of construction this summer. Updates will be added here once work begins.

Contact Us

For more information about this project, please contact:

Philip Wolfraim, Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management | Restoration & Infrastructure
9755 Canada Company Avenue, Vaughan ON L4H 0A3
(365) 566-2383
phil.wolfraim@trca.ca