Bank Over Rail - Bank Street between Kitchener Avenue and Johnston Road

Bank Street Over Rail – Active Transportation Improvements

Policy Context

The City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) includes a list of projects that will be implemented to address missing links or opportunities for expansion in the active transportation network. This list was developed based on public consultation, Councillor input and a city-wide network review. The Council-approved list of projects was published in 2023 and later evaluated to identify which ones should be of priority. An updated list was published in 2025. Bank Street Over Rail is one of the priority projects.

This project aligns with the City’s goals of improving pedestrian safety and providing safe, direct, and connected cycling facilities.

Local Context

Bank Street is an arterial road, which means it is one of the City's major transportation routes and generally carries a large volume of traffic. The project area (Bank Street from Kitchener Avenue to Johnston Road) is adjacent to retail and commercial uses, the Greenboro LRT Station, and the Banff-Ledbury neighbourhood.

There is currently no accessible pedestrian connection from the neighbourhood to the Bank Street bridge. Desire paths have been formed by residents, showing a need for a formal connection.

There are currently no cycling facilities within the project limits, however, there are facilities being built to the north and south of the area through the Bank Street development projects.

This project will introduce new pedestrian and cycling facilities that will improve accessibility, safety, and connectivity.

Project Details

The City is planning to construct new protected bike lanes and cycle tracks on Bank Street, from Kitchener Avenue to Johnston Road. The City is also planning to construct a pedestrian and cyclist connection between the Banff-Ledbury neighbourhood and the Bank Street bridge.

To provide these new active transportation facilities, additional changes to the road are proposed:

Modifications to the Bank Street Loop will include a raised crossing for the bike lane and sidewalk. The existing right lane will be removed, and vehicles will merge onto Bank Street before the Kitchener Avenue intersection.

This modification will reduce the speed of vehicles merging onto Bank Street and increase the safety for vulnerable road users at this crossing.

The southbound Bank Street Loop will be realigned to include a raised crossing for bicycles and pedestrians with a yield condition for vehicles.

The southbound bike lane near the Johnston Road intersection will remain curbside through the intersection.