Lengthy ferry lineups spur renewed call for bridge to Toronto islands

There are renewed calls for the city to work toward building a bridge to the Toronto Islands following a weekend which saw lengthy lineups to access Toronto's aging ferry fleet.

There are renewed calls for the city to work toward building a bridge to the Toronto Islands following a weekend which saw lengthy lineups to access Toronto's aging ferry fleet.

Former Spadina-Fort York council candidate April Engelberg posted a picture of the lineup for the ferry winding around the Westin Harbour Castle on Queen's Quay West.

Speaking with CP24 Monday, she said access to the islands is "an equity issue" in a city where green space is limited. She pointed out that the Toronto Islands are 16 times the size of Trinity Bellwoods Park, which many consider the main park in the ward.

"So it should be free for everybody to access and easy for everybody to access," Engelberg said. "And right now, it really isn't."

When Engelberg ran for council, she proposed a bridge connecting the east end of the island to the Port Lands.

"The bridge area that I'm proposing, it's only 250 meters. So we've built much more complicated things in the city," she said.

Speaking with reporters at a housing announcement Monday, Mayor Olivia Chow sympathized with those waiting in a long lineup for a ferry ride, especially with young kids.