Behind The Scenes of #CFTECBridge Demolition

In preparation for the new pedestrian bridge that will better integrate CF Toronto Eaton Centre with Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue, Queen Street was closed over the Victoria Day weekend to permit demolition of the existing bridge.

The innovative approach involved disconnecting the bridge from its structural connection points and lowering it to the ground, using a 144-wheeled, self-propelled modular transport (SPMT) vehicle. The structure’s overhead glass and framing was then removed before being hauled offsite for recycling.

The strategic decision to construct the bridge on the ground next to CF Toronto Eaton Centre on James Street, instead of demolishing and constructing the bridge in place in a traditional method, was favoured by PCL and Cadillac Fairview, as it enables us to minimize impact to our clients, neighbours and retail tenants, as well as to the greater general public and City of Toronto.