Retro SRT bridge canopies being saved for future use. Public nostalgia inspired Metrolinx to hang on to pedestrian bridge.
One person’s piece of construction junk is clearly another person’s treasure. Or in the case of the pedestrian bridges connecting to the old Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) stations, they may be all of Scarborough’s treasure.
Metrolinx — the provincial agency remaking transit lines throughout Toronto — has announced that they’re going to hold on to old portions of the SRT stations after they noticed a wave of online public nostalgia when crews were dismantling them.
“When Metrolinx shared details with the community about the coming removals, the resulting online engagement was undeniable,” Metrolinx explains on their website. “Scarborough residents showed up on social media, sharing stories of their experiences and love for these nostalgic structures.”
One commenter even shared how they had proposed to their spouse on one of the canopy-covered walkways and footbridges.
Recognizing the incredible public support for the design of these bridges, Metrolinx has arranged for pieces of them to be stored for the time being on the grounds of the Toronto Zoo.
“Built in the 1980’s, the retro-futuristic bridges were similar in style and use, providing covered pedestrian connections to the McCowan RT Station and Scarborough Town Centre,” Metrolinx explains. “Used routinely as a backdrop for photoshoots or as a well-worn path for getting to and from the movie theatre, these structures helped define this place within the ever-evolving borough.”
