O'Connor Drive Bridge

The O’Connor Drive bridge crosses over the valley through which Taylor Creek flows. It is a concrete bridge that is in pretty good shape, having been repaired and rehabilitated during the winter of 2012/13.



The arch of the bridge reminds me a little of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. This is a view of the bridge as seen from the south.




These pictures are of Taylor Creek where it runs under the bridge. When I first moved into the area, the creek used to smell unpleasant. The main sewage pipe was old and in poor condition. The creek would smell particularly bad after a heavy rain. Repairing the tunnel was deemed too expensive and dangerous, so construction of a new bypass tunnel started in April 2010. This tunnel is now operating, and the creek smells fine. As you can see, it is a pleasant place to be.



View from the north.



Part of the support structure of the bridge.



The bridge is quite long. I have biked over it many times, but this is an experience I find a bit unnerving. There are no reserved bike lanes, and there isn’t much space at the sides of the road for cyclists. Cars tend to move quickly on the bridge. I rarely see any other cyclists when I am on it.





The bridge doesn’t currently have a great deal of graffiti on it, but I did notice an area on the underside of the bridge at its far eastern end that warranted a look. I had to walk off-trail to get up to this area. The ground was quite wet, and I ended up having to walk my bike through a fair amount of mud to get there.

I was slightly nervous being in the area where this graffiti was, because it seemed possibly like a place where a gang might hang out. As I approached I watched carefully for signs of people. It turned out that the place was deserted, and I was able to snap a few pictures. I was glad to be on my way, though, as I left.

Leaside Bridge

One of the more impressive sights on the Lower Don Valley Recreation Trail is the Leaside Bridge. (The most impressive sight on this trail would have to be the Prince Edward Viaduct.) The Leaside Bridge, which opened in 1927, connects Millwood Avenue, to the north, with Pape and Donlands Avenues, to the south. Pape and Donlands meet at the southern side of the bridge.

I envy the lucky people who use the Lower Don Valley Recreation Trail to commute. It is an interesting ride through its entire length: a place where the wilderness and urban join. The Leaside Bridge is a good example of this.







Underneath the bridge it is quite overgrown and wild.







The bridge looms overhead as you approach it.



There is a lot of graffiti on the bridge. Most of it is within easy reach, but someone went out of their way to add “FRENS.” I don’t know what “FRENS” refers to.







Some examples of graffiti at the feet of the concrete pillars supporting the bridge.



The pillars are covered in concrete patches.



Here, the Don River makes its way under the bridge. The concrete footing here doesn’t seem altogether well supported to me. Incidentally, I acquired a three-centimetre nail through my rear tire as I rode off-trail to take this picture.