🚈 Continuing LRT Month at GTA Weekly! Every Sunday in May, our Next Stop editorial series spotlights a different light rail transit (LRT) project across the Greater Toronto Area. This week, we head to the lakefront to reimagine Toronto’s eastern shoreline with the Waterfront East LRT—a key transit link with transformative potential.
A Vision Reawakened
First proposed decades ago, the Waterfront East LRT is now back in the spotlight. The plan? Create a new LRT corridor connecting Union Station to East Harbour Transit Hub, running through Toronto’s rapidly growing east waterfront. The route would serve emerging neighbourhoods like Quayside, Villiers Island, and the Port Lands, while also offering a scenic, surface-level ride along the lake.
Unlike traditional subways, the Waterfront East LRT is envisioned to run above ground, leveraging beautiful streetscape design to complement its surroundings. With landscaped boulevards, dedicated bike lanes, wide pedestrian walkways, and stunning lakefront views, the project offers both mobility and public realm improvements.
Proposed Route and Destinations
The initial segment of the Waterfront East LRT would run from Union Station to the East Harbour Transit Hub, passing through:
- Queens Quay East at Bay Street
- Lower Jarvis (near Sugar Beach)
- Parliament Slip
- Cherry Street South (Villiers Island)
- Broadview Avenue extension to East Harbour
The line would intersect with the existing 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina lines, and offer convenient transfers to:
- GO Transit at Union and East Harbour
- Ontario Line at East Harbour (under construction)
- Future Waterfront LRT west of Union
The Case for Going Above Ground
Running the LRT above ground brings multiple benefits:
- Cost-effective and faster to build than tunneling
- Preserves lake views and enhances the pedestrian experience
- Enables street-level retail and gathering spaces
- Creates a vibrant link between transit, nature, and neighbourhood life
It’s a transit line that’s also a city-building tool—supporting green transportation, tourism, and equitable access to Toronto’s waterfront amenities like Cherry Beach, Sugar Beach, and Corktown Common.
Why It Matters
The eastern waterfront is Toronto’s largest underdeveloped urban area, with plans for over 50,000 new residents and tens of thousands of jobs. Yet, its current transit infrastructure is woefully inadequate. The Waterfront East LRT would:
- Relieve pressure on the 504 King Streetcar and other downtown lines
- Connect underserved communities to regional hubs like Union and East Harbour
- Support large-scale developments like Quayside and Villiers Island
- Make sustainable, car-free travel a reality for waterfront residents and tourists alike
Current Status
The project has been under environmental review, with Metrolinx, Waterfront Toronto, and the City of Toronto advancing technical designs. While funding remains an obstacle, city staff have identified the Waterfront East LRT as a top priority.
As of 2025, shovels are not yet in the ground. But public support is strong, and the rise of East Harbour as a regional superhub has reignited momentum for this crucial connection.
What’s Next?
GTA Weekly is calling for governments at all levels to commit to funding and fast-tracking the Waterfront East LRT. This line represents more than a transit upgrade—it’s a once-in-a-generation chance to reimagine Toronto’s lakefront for the people who live, work, and play there.
🛤️ Next Stop is GTA Weekly’s weekly Sunday spotlight on the future of transit in the Greater Toronto Area. From subways to LRTs to GO expansions, we dig into the projects shaping how we move. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for more on Toronto’s transit transformation.
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