Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto have shortlisted five teams to propose designs for an accessible pedestrian bridge crossing the Keating Channel.

The organizations opened a request for qualifications (RFQ) process in May 2023. Thirteen local, national and international teams responded.

The shortlisted proponents are listed in alphabetical order by lead firm:

Lead Firm: Entuitive

Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann Partner

Architect: Grimshaw Architects

Architect & Indigenous Consultant: Two Row Architect

Landscape Architect: O2 Planning + Design with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

Lead Firm: EXP

Engineer: Buro Happold 

Architect: INFORM Studio

Indigenous Consultant: 4 Directions

Landscape Architect: Sprucelab  

Lead Firm: Henning Larsen

Engineer: Ramboll

Architect: Henning Larsen 

Indigenous Consultant: Two Row Architect 

Landscape Architect: Henning Larsen

Lead Firm: RJC Engineers

Engineer: Anta Ingeneria Civil

Architect: Smoke Architecture Inc.

Indigenous Consultant: MinoKamik

Landscape Architect: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates  

Lead Firm: Zeidler Architecture Inc.

Engineer: Arup

Architect: WilkinsonEyre

Indigenous Consultant: Two Row Architect

Landscape Architect: PLANT Architect Inc.

The shortlisted proponents are being asked to submit proposals that will be reviewed by an evaluation committee made up of Waterfront Toronto, City of Toronto and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation staff. Waterfront Toronto expects to identify its successful proponent this fall.

The Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge will link the Quayside neighbourhood and Toronto’s downtown to an expanded regional park system along the Don River and the emergent Villiers Island. It will contribute to the creation of a continuous and publicly accessible water’s edge along the harbour and play a critical role in providing safe, direct, and equitable access across the Keating Channel.

Waterfront Toronto says incorporating Indigenous design principles is key to this project. The organization has committed to working with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the City of Toronto to build a bridge “that meaningfully celebrates local Indigenous arts, cultures, storytelling, histories, and traditions.”