The opening of the new River Valley and Biidaasige Park marks the culmination of years of visionary planning, engineering excellence, and collaborative execution.

As part of Waterfront Toronto’s Port Lands Flood Protection and Enabling Infrastructure (PLFPEI) project, these areas represent a portion of revitalized waterfront that blends ecological restoration, green infrastructure, and vibrant public spaces. PLFP is part of Waterfront Toronto’s ongoing revitalization work, a partnership of the City of Toronto, Province of Ontario and Government of Canada. This transformation will serve Toronto residents and visitors from around the world.

“Eight years ago, this area was contaminated industrial land—hardly postcard material. The new parks now connect Toronto’s downtown with the waterfront. What used to be empty, industrial land is now lively green space for the community,” said Josh Manning, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, EllisDon Civil. “This milestone is the result of years of collaboration, innovation, and commitment to building resilient infrastructure that will serve the city for generations. We’re proud to have played a role in shaping the Port Lands’ legacy.”

Starting with Flood Protection

At the heart of Toronto’s River Valley transformation lies a feat of engineering: a 1.2-kilometre long watertight “bathtub” constructed beside Lake Ontario to safely carve out a new river channel below the water table. Anchored to bedrock with deep cutoff walls, the bathtub was engineered to hold back the lake while excavation and construction unfolded in dry conditions. Every step—from underwater demolition and GPS-guided stone placement to real-time air quality monitoring and stakeholder coordination—was executed with EllisDon’s trademark precision and care.

Beneath the surface, the transformation of the Port Lands is supported by an intricate network of stormwater channels, utilities, and flood barriers, all precisely engineered and monitored in real time to safeguard against everything from daily rainfall to hurricane-scale events. Leveraging advanced digital twin technology, EllisDon and its partners simulated a wide range of scenarios, shaping the placement of conduits and sequencing of construction to ensure resilience. This fully integrated underground infrastructure now stands as a testament to innovation and collaboration, providing flood protection for 174 hectares and supporting vibrant, resilient public spaces above.

This wasn’t just construction—it was intentional precision that re-naturalized a waterway capable of managing stormwater volumes equal to two-thirds of Niagara Falls. The result: flood protection for 174 hectares of downtown Toronto, and a new benchmark for what’s possible when engineering ambition meets safety excellence.

It’s infrastructure built not just for today, but for whatever tomorrow brings.

From Contamination to Conservation

Transforming the Port Lands also meant confronting a legacy of industrial contamination. EllisDon led a comprehensive remediation strategy that:

• Excavated 1.4 million cubic metres of contaminated soil—enough to fill the Rogers Centre.
• Treated 200,000 cubic metres of it on-site using bioremediation, introducing specialized microbes to break down contaminants.
• Reintegrated the clean, reusable fill into the project, reducing off-site disposal and environmental impact.
• Built a custom water treatment plant that processes groundwater to meet or exceed Lake Ontario’s quality standards.

By treating both soil and water on-site, EllisDon significantly reduced the project’s ecological footprint. This integrated approach turned a once-polluted brownfield into a resilient, revitalized community space.

Rooted in Relationship: Indigenous Leadership in the Port Lands

This project has been shaped by a deeply rooted partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the treaty holders for the area. Under the leadership of Waterfront Toronto, the project brought together Indigenous leaders and design teams to guide the transformation of the Port Lands. The MinoKamik Collective, an Indigenous-led group focused on cultural integration, joined the primary design team led by MVVA. Their collaboration ensured that Indigenous perspectives and knowledge were meaningfully woven into every stage of the project’s development, with the entire initiative shaped through a lens of cultural continuity and shared stewardship.

Regular co-design workshops, cultural consultations, and on-site collaboration created a framework where Indigenous voices actively informed decision-making. The project team’s commitment extended beyond consultation—supporting Indigenous participation in design, procurement, and workforce development. The result is a resilient, future-facing community that honours the land’s original stewards while setting a new standard for inclusive urban development.

Delivering the Extraordinary

From once contaminated industrial lands, the Port Lands site continues to transform into a resilient, future-ready foundation for vibrant new neighbourhoods, green spaces, and economic growth. Soon, Port Lands will complete its evolution from an industrial landscape to a verdant community hub, anchored by restored wetlands, new parks, and flood-resilient infrastructure.

This transformation is a real-time example of EllisDon’s technical expertise blended with innovation. Our ability to deliver complex and sustainable infrastructure reflects our leadership and unwavering commitment to building with purpose.

This is more than a revitalized waterfront—it’s a legacy, built by EllisDon.