The Allen Connection

Since 2009, liveability and user experience in the Allen have gradually been improved on. The Northwest Cultural Trail is the most recent proposed improvement.

An Important Connection

The Allen Road is not only a key component but the largest ‘gap’ of the Northwest Cultural Trail. Located in northwest Toronto, the Allen is a heavily travelled below grade expressway that was originally intended to achieve a continuous north-south connection from Highway 401 up until Harbord Street near University of Toronto’s main campus. . Yet in 1969 the project was cut short due to heavy pushback from local community members. 

At the time, several activists, urbanists and concerned citizens, mobilized and opposed, the urban renewal phenomenon taken on by the city which entailed demolishing entire neighbourhoods and constructing major expressways in their place. The expressway being nearly half complete had already caused the deliberate destruction and division of midtown neighbourhoods. The small and localized protestors struck a chord with the city, transforming their cause into a movement and ultimately causing the expressway to be cancelled before completion. Years later the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway line would be constructed along its centre median and its name formally changed to William R. Allen Road.

It wouldn’t be until 2009 though that the city would take interest in the Allen yet again due to the revitalization of Lawrence Heights, a neighbourhood improvement area situated on either side of the Allen Road Corridor just south of Highway 401 and north of Lawrence Avenue West. The opportunity allowed for a re-examination of the Allen in order to improve Its position within the public realm. Although the plans for its improvement were considered too ambitious by the Province, placemaking, mobility and accessibility were important aspects the city has continued to improve on in the Allen for liveability and user experience purposes. 

Today such improvements clearly align with numerous planning legislation and policies at both provincial and municipal levels. Specifically, Section 4.3.1a in the Lawrence-Allen Secondary Plan states “to provide a direct and continuous north-south pedestrian and cycling route along each side of Allen Road that is safe, convenient, and integrated with the surrounding pedestrian and cycling network.” Given that the Allen is an integral part of the Northwest Cultural Trail, improving its mobility, accessibility and placemaking will not only achieve its long-term objectives but will form a key spine in the City’s active transportation network. 

Opportunities