Runway End Safety Areas (RESA)

The RESA project is required by Transport Canada. It 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.

Yes – you can find the Environmental Assessment, including appendices, below.

Construction is taking place overnight, to permit normal airport operations during the day. Construction activities will be intermittent during the construction period. Construction hours are between 11 PM and 6 AM, Monday to Saturday, with staging occurring from 9 PM onward. Material delivery from the Port Lands staging sites to airfield will occur as a 24-hour operation. Construction start and end times may vary slightly due to weather or aviation-related operational matters.

This schedule was designed to reduce impacts on airport operations and to normal daytime activities in the Inner Harbour and Western Channel.

While the runway will be closed, helicopter medical evacuations will be preserved to ensure these life-saving operations are not interrupted.

During the day, you may see vehicles and vessels stockpiling materials on the south side of the airport. For a visual representation of what is happening overnight, watch our informational video above.

At any point during the construction period, you may see in and around the Inner Harbour and construction site, the following vessels and vehicles: material barges and loaders, a self-unloading vessel, long-reach excavators, D6 bulldozer and 950 loader.

2026

• Final Design and Permitting: January to July
• NAV CANADA Navigational Aid Modifications: April to May
• In-Water Construction Start: Mid-July

2027

• In-Water Work Complete: early 2027
• Landmass Compaction and Grading of Fills (above water): March to May
• Revetment/Armour Stone Final Adjustments (above water): March to May
• Airfield, Security Fence and Perimeter Road Restoration: June to Late Fall
• RESA Compliance Work Completed: July
• Aquatic Habitat Restoration / Shoreline Enhancement: Summer/Fall

2028

• Aquatic Habitat Restoration / Shoreline Enhancement: Spring/Fall
• Ongoing monitoring of habitat restoration work will continue past 2028

Toronto Port Authority is working with 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.

During construction, you may notice the water temporarily appearing cloudier or brown due to sediment becoming suspended in the water during in-water work. A turbidity curtain will be used at the east end to help contain sediment. At the west end, where wave conditions make turbidity curtains impractical, water quality monitoring and adaptive management measures will be implemented. Fish salvages will be completed by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) before construction begins. These temporary changes are not expected to affect recreation, drinking water, wildlife, or the natural processes of Lake Ontario.

Hanlan’s Point Beach will remain open and accessible during the project. Construction near the west runway end is planned to take place overnight, generally starting at 11 PM, outside typical beach-use hours. Any construction-related disruptions are expected to be temporary, and the project may provide long-term benefits by supporting natural sediment processes that help sustain the beach over time.

Measures will be put in place to manage runoff, sediment, and construction waste during construction. This includes using erosion and sediment controls, containing and properly disposing of construction materials and waste, refuelling equipment away from the water where feasible, and implementing spill prevention and response procedures.

You may notice that the new infographic map shows the project as having a different contour than what was shown in earlier renderings. The final design is substantially the same area but with slightly different contours to smooth out the lateral limits of the fill. This is the only variation.

Yes, all marine movements in this project have been approved by Transport Canada prior to the start of construction.

The project will take the following steps to reduce the effects of construction lighting at the Port Lands sites, including the Inner Harbour Airport staging and laydown areas and the east and west RESA work zones:

• Nighttime lighting will be shielded and directed downward, away from nearby natural areas, to reduce light spill.
• Lower-intensity or wildlife-friendly lighting will be considered within 30 metres of Hanlan’s Point Beach.
• Lighting will be positioned to avoid shining northward and to prevent interference with marine navigation lights or visibility for boat operators.
• Signs will be installed to help inform and reduce impacts on the boating community.
• Temporary navigation lights will be placed at the edge of construction areas to clearly mark new materials and work zones.
• Additional construction lighting will generally only be used between 11 PM and 6 AM, except when emergency work is required outside these hours.
• To reduce potential temporary light pollution impacts, lights will be directed southward, away from residential areas located to the north of the site. This approach has been successfully used in other major construction projects at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
• Additionally, where possible, the construction contractor will: use shielded or directed lighting to focus light only where needed; avoid unnecessary nighttime lighting where feasible: maintain lights at the minimum brightness necessary for safe construction activities; and regularly monitor and adjust lighting as needed to minimize light spill onto nearby residential and recreational areas.

The following measures will be used to reduce noise and vibration during construction:

• Most materials will be delivered by barge, which is expected to generate less noise than truck transportation.
• Construction equipment will meet applicable provincial noise standards.
• Equipment idling will be limited to the minimum amount necessary to complete the work safely.
• Vehicles operating on site for two days or more will use broadband backup alarms where possible, which are less disruptive than traditional tonal alarms.
• Unnecessary engine revving will be avoided, and equipment will be shut off when not in use.
• During rock placement and material stockpiling, drop heights will be minimized to reduce noise.
• Vibratory compaction equipment will be avoided where practical.
• Alternative equipment, such as non-compacting rollers or plate tampers, may be used where appropriate.
• Equipment will be operated at lower speeds and with reduced force when feasible to minimize vibration.
• High-vibration construction activities will be scheduled to avoid occurring at the same time whenever possible.

The following measures will be implemented to control dust and protect air quality during construction:

• Screens, barriers, or enclosures will be used where practical to reduce the effects of wind.
• Material stockpiles will be covered, stabilized, or otherwise managed to prevent dust generation.
• Exposed soil and other surfaces will be minimized, and water or tarps will be used as needed to control wind-blown dust.
• Construction staff and subcontractors will limit vehicle and equipment idling to no more than one minute per hour whenever practical.
• Water will be the primary method used to suppress dust on construction areas, roads, stockpiles, exposed soils, and demolition activities where feasible.
• Water used for dust control may come from airport sources, temporary storage tanks, or approved water-taking permits from Lake Ontario.
• Approved chemical dust suppressants may be used where appropriate and authorized by the environmental team.
• Flexamat armour mats may be installed in areas requiring long-term stabilization of exposed soil.
• Water will be applied proactively to dry areas that are vulnerable to wind erosion.
• Temporary seeding, mulching, or soil compaction may be used to stabilize exposed ground and stockpiles.
• Unpaved roads may be improved with gravel or other low-silt materials to reduce dust generation and will be regularly inspected as part of environmental monitoring.
• For larger concrete demolition activities, the use of dust-control shrouds will be evaluated and implemented where practical.

To help minimize impacts on the surrounding community, the following measures will be implemented during construction. Construction personnel, equipment and materials are being transported primarily by barge from the Port Lands, avoiding the use of Eireann Quay.

Construction Traffic and Deliveries

• Marine construction crews will generally arrive after 9 PM in preparation for the 11 PM night shift and will leave the area by 6 AM.
• Material deliveries will primarily occur Monday through Friday. Weekend deliveries will only take place when necessary.
• Weekend truck traffic will be minimized wherever practical.

Worker Access

• Construction personnel travelling to and from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport will use boats or water taxis operating from Port Lands sites.
• Construction-related vehicles and workers will not access the project through Eireann Quay or the airport ferry.

Marine Traffic Management

• Construction barges will operate in a manner that allows other marine traffic to maintain right-of-way.
• When not in use, marine equipment will be moored at approved locations to keep waterways clear and navigable.

Port Lands Site Access and Vehicle Staging

Sites A and B – 8 Unwin Avenue

• Unwin Avenue will serve as the primary truck staging and queuing area.
• The industrial roadway provides approximately 2.6 km of space for vehicle staging.
• Deliveries will be scheduled and staggered to support efficient site access and reduce congestion.
• Site B will operate as a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) facility, allowing trucks and trailers to load directly onto barges.

Site C1 – 29/35 Basin Street

• Commissioners Street will serve as the primary truck staging and queuing area.
• Approximately 1.5 km of industrial roadway is available for vehicle staging while maintaining normal traffic flow.