Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has proposed to undertake remedial flood and erosion control works behind Topcliff Avenue to provide long-term protection to private property from the hazards of erosion and slope instability.
Project Location
The project is located in the City of Toronto, near the intersection of Finch Avenue West and Jane Street.
Learn More About the Project
Project Background
This site was first identified to TRCA following reports of a slope failure that occurred after the July 8, 2013 severe weather event. Erosion and slope instability issues behind Topcliff Avenue are creating a hazard to private properties located at the top of slope.
This project is being planned in accordance with Conservation Ontario’s Class Environmental Assessment for Remedial Flood and Erosion Control Projects (amended 2013) (Class EA). The Class EA establishes a planning and approval process for a variety of projects that may be carried out by Conservation Authorities, including procedures and environmental planning principles for Conservation Authorities to follow to plan, design, evaluate, implement and monitor a project.
The following alternative solutions were developed and evaluated by TRCA as part of the Class EA process for the project:
The Class EA recommended the following alternative solutions:
- Slope Stabilization: Alternative #4 – Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS) system or Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Structure
- Channel Reach #1: Alternative #1 – Channel Realignment
- Channel Reach #2: Alternative #2 – Channel improvements with armourstone wall bank protection
For those interested in the Class EA process and a full evaluation of the alternatives please refer to the Project Plan linked below in the Public Notices Section.
Scope of Work
The proposed scope of work for this project includes stabilizing the valley wall behind Topcliff Avenue and completing erosion control works along the base of slope to ensure long-term stability and provide protection to residential properties located at the top of slope.
Throughout 2024, TRCA intends to:
- Obtain final detailed designs for the slope stabilization and erosion control works
- Obtain all necessary permits, approvals, and agreements
- Tentatively begin construction in Fall 2024, pending the completion of permits, approvals, agreements, and detailed designs
- Restore site with native vegetation plantings and trail repairs as required
Construction Information
Construction will begin in October 2024 and will be completed in Spring 2025, pending receipt of all permits and approvals. Schedule is subject to change. TRCA will update this webpage as construction milestones are completed.
Public Notices
Notice of Intent (NOI)
TRCA formally initiated this project in 2020 through the issuance of a NOI. The NOI was published in the North York Mirror on February 13, 2020 to inform community members of the project.
Notice of Filing (NOF)
On January 8, 2020, TRCA circulated the NOF to interested stakeholders to notify them that the Class EA Project Plan was filed for a 60-day public review period. All interested persons were invited to review the Class EA Project Plan and provide written comments to TRCA. Written comments had to be submitted by March 9, 2021.
TRCA’s Project Plan can be viewed using the following link: Topcliff Avenue Erosion Control and Slope Stabilization Project – Class EA Project Plan
Notice of Project Approval (NOA)
On March 29, 2021, TRCA circulated the NOA to interested stakeholders to notify them that no concerns regarding the project were raised during the 60-day Class EA public review period. As no concerns were raised, TRCA intends to proceed with developing detailed designs of the preferred alternative solution and obtain the necessary permits and approvals required for construction.
Notice of Construction (NOC)
Following completion of planning activities, TRCA has distributed a Notice of Construction to notify the local community and project stakeholders of the project’s construction timeline. Construction signage has been installed to notify trail uses of the trail closures and detour routes.
Progress Updates
2025
April 22, 2025
- Construction of the MSE wall and creek erosion structures are complete
- Site restoration activities are now taking place, which include planting of native tree and shrub species, and terraseeding disturbed areas
February 11, 2025
- Construction continues on the MSE wall to stabilize the slope, nearing completion.
January 14, 2025
- Construction has resumed on the slope stabilization works. Excavation of the footprint of the wall is complete.
2024
December 3, 2024
- Construction of the erosion control works for Reach #1 of the channel is complete. Native trees and shrubs are being planted to restore the work and access areas.
November 19, 2024
- Construction of the armourstone is complete for Reach #2 of the channel. Benching for the slope works is complete. Construction of erosion control works has started for Reach #1.
November 5, 2024
- Construction of the armourstone wall continues for Reach #2 of the channel. Benching for the slope works has begun.
October 22, 2024
- Construction of the armourstone wall has begun for Reach #2 of the channel.
October 3, 2024
- Construction has begun. Dynex has begun with site setup. Expect trail closures (see Notice of Construction information for trail closures and detours).
September 30, 2024
- All permits and approvals have been obtained
2023
- TRCA retained Dynex Construction Inc. through a design-build contract
- Obtained draft detailed designs for the slope stabilization and erosion control works based on the preferred alternative solutions identified in the Class EA
- Initiated obtaining all necessary permits, approvals, and agreements
2022
- Consulted the affected landowners to review TRCA’s proposed works and refine the extent of TRCA’s intended work limits
2021
- TRCA issued the Class EA Project Plan. No concerns regarding TRCA’s proposed works were received and the Project Plan was successfully approved.
2020
- TRCA, in conjunction with its engineering consultants, developed conceptual alternative solutions to address slope stability and erosion hazards affecting private properties along Topcliff Avenue
- TRCA evaluated conceptual alternatives to identify the preferred alternative solution
- TRCA issued a stakeholder engagement package to interested parties to solicit feedback and comments on TRCA’s identified preferred alternative solution
- TRCA drafted the Class EA Project Plan
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact Alex Grout, Project Manager:
Alex Grout, Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
alex.grout@trca.ca
(437) 235-6120