Less than five years after a massive redevelopment of Toronto’s waterfront was completed, residents are facing the possibility of having their neighbourhood chewed up again.

Enbridge Gas Inc. needs to replace 4.5 kilometres of natural gas pipeline, and Queens Quay has been selected as one of three possible routes, running from Bathurst St. to Cherry St.

“When I was chair of Waterfront Toronto, we spent $130 million making a beautiful place and the idea that we should tear it up is utterly ridiculous,” said Mark Wilson. “There are two other route options and those are the ones Enbridge should choose from. They should not even consider ... Queens Quay.”

The York Quay Neighbourhood Association is also opposed, saying it would have a “crushing” effect on the area by digging up bike lanes and damaging sidewalks and trees.

“Not only would millions of taxpayer dollars be squandered, but Harbourfront Centre, tour boats, businesses and condo towers would all suffer,” the organization’s newsletter said.

Andrea Stass, a spokesperson for Enbridge Gas, said the environmental assessment for the city’s waterfront redevelopment was completed in 2009 and at that time, Enbridge had not yet identified the need for the current pipeline project.

Tim Kocur, executive director of the Waterfront BIA representing business in the area, said his organization is definitely opposed to the Queens Quay alignment.

“They’re expecting up to a year and a half of construction. That, of course, would be done in stages, but we also know that these construction timelines can take longer,” said Kocur, adding that many businesses in the area suffered during the long redevelopment process.

He said the BIA will strongly encourage Enbridge to align the gas pipe along Lake Shore Blvd., one of the two other options. Harbour St. is the other alternative.

Stass said the three options are only under consideration at this point, and the feedback Enbridge receives from residents will help the company make a decision on the best course of action.

Coun. Joe Cressy (Ward 10 Spadina-Fort York), said that while Enbridge has to replace its existing infrastructure, Queens Quay is not the solution.

“Enbridge is currently exploring various route options and I’m optimistic that we will get this resolved,” he said.

According to the Enbridge proposal, the project involves the relocation of a pipeline on the Keating Railway Bridge and conflicts with Waterfront Toronto’s proposed Port Lands flood protection plan.

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The project is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring of 2021 and finish in the summer of 2022.

Members of the public can send comments to Dillion Consulting or Enbridge Gas.

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