Capital Projects
On this page, you will find updates related to major capital projects within our portfolio.
Project: Runway End Safety Areas (RESA)
The Toronto Port Authority is creating two new RESAs on its active commercial runway to enhance safety at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. A Runway End Safety Area (RESA) is a cleared and graded area of land located immediately beyond the end of the runway. These areas are designed to reduce the severity of damage to aircraft and enhance the safety of passengers and crew by providing an additional margin in the event of an aircraft excursion beyond the runway.
The RESA project fulfills Transport Canada’s national directive to enhance runway safety and align Canadian commercial airports with current domestic and international aviation standards as outlined in Transport Canada’s Regulations Amending the Canadian Aviation Regulations (Parts I, III and VI — RESA): SOR/2021-269.
If you have questions about this project, contact RESA@torontoportauthority.com.
Resources
Press Release: read our press release from December 10, 2025.
RESA Environmental Assessment: the Environmental Assessment for this project was completed in 2025.
Appendices
- Appendix A – Gap Analysis Memorandum
- Appendix B – Natural Heritage Effects Assessment Report
- Appendix C – Marina Physical Effects Assessment Report
- Appendix D – Water Quality Effects Assessment Report
- Appendix E – Borehole Drilling Report
- Appendix F – Final Air Quality Assessment Report
- Appendix G – Noise Impact Assessment Report
- Appendix H – Socio-Economic Report
- Appendix I – Marine Navigation Effects Assessment Report
- Appendix J – Marine Archaeological Assessment Report
- Appendix K – Stage 1 Terrestrial Archaeology Assessment Report
- Appendix L – Cultural Heritage Report
- Appendix M – Evaluation Matrix
- Appendix N – Preliminary Design
- Appendix O – Consultation
- Appendix P – Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Report
- Appendix Q – Tripartite Amending Agreement
Key Facts
Start: Mobilizing and stockpiling activities in the Port Lands and on the airfield staging area begin in March 2026. The estimated start of in-water works is July 2026. Construction start of the RESAs is to be announced.
Completion: the RESAs will be operational by July 12, 2027. Additional construction activities unrelated to the RESA compliance will continue until fall 2027.
Contractors: Avia NG and AECOM (planning and environmental assessment); EllisDon Civil Ltd. teamed with Stantec and J.F. Baird (design-build).
The project will not extend the active runway, facilitate the use of new aircraft, or increase operations at the airport.
The boundaries and size of the existing Marine Exclusion Zone (MEZ) will remain unchanged.
Project: Cross-Harbour Watermain Tunnel Rehabilitation
Toronto Port Authority and the City of Toronto have begun a coordinated project to rehabilitate the Cross Harbour Watermain Tunnel, originally built in 1908. The Toronto Port Authority will lead the construction in coordination with Toronto Water. Read the Community Notice issued at the start of this project.
If you have questions about this project, contact CHT@torontoportauthority.com.
Key Facts
- Contractors: C&M McNally Engineering Corp. (construction); RV Anderson Associates (engineering).
- Timeline: Phase 1 of rehabilitation commenced in December 2025 and will be completed in April 2026. Phase 2 of rehabilitation will begin in December 2026 and be completed in 2027.
- Partner: The City of Toronto
Project: Ship Channel Bridge Rehabilitation
In March 2022, the Toronto Port Authority in partnership with the City of Toronto began a major rehabilitation program to modernize the ageing Ship Channel Lift Bridge, a vital piece of infrastructure supporting Toronto’s supply chain.
If you have questions about this project, contact communications@torontoportauthority.com.
Key Facts
- Partner: The City of Toronto
Past Projects
Read about our past capital construction projects:
Dock Wall Rehabilitation 2025 – summary by Soletanche-Bachy (external link)
Community Notices
We issue community notices regarding project activities relevant to the public.