![Bridging gap between function and beauty](https://cdn.magzter.com/1704825715/1718001275/articles/1fVrqZRYr1718003918355/BRIDGING-GAP-BETWEEN-FUNCTION-AND-BEAUTY.jpg)
The colourful new bridges in the Port Lands are a sign of how Toronto's bridges have become photographic draws. These structures are anything but boring and unremarkable, writes Shawn Micallef.
Toronto is a kind of “mullet city” in that way. The beauty is the bridge architecture and engineering, but also the setting.
Ravines, along with the rivers and creeks flowing through them, are the landforms many Toronto bridges pass over. Though the ravines are celebrated and beloved now, it says a lot about this city that the roads previous generations built render them nearly invisible, especially in a car.
Similar to the way San Francisco’s street grid largely ignores that city’s hills, making for some famously steep streets, Toronto’s grid relentlessly crosses the ravines. The streets maintain fidelity to the British concession plan laid down long ago, and with only a few exceptions ignore landscape contours.
There are no scenic lookouts by or on the bridges as one might find in a national park. The closest might be the parts of the Prince Edward Viaduct jutting out over the Don Valley they even have old-fashioned viewing binoculars. Otherwise, Toronto built bridges for utility — getting around as directly as possible — rather than for romance.
Esta historia es de la edición June 10, 2024 de Toronto Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 10, 2024 de Toronto Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![Loved ones remember young father](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1758963/jfhE4Uk3m1720432436689/LOVED-ONES-REMEMBER-YOUNG-FATHER.jpg)
Loved ones remember young father
Community expresses anger, exasperation at loss of Ajay Simpson, 20, gunned down last month
![Jordyn Romano was also supposed to die that day'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1758963/DWFD-DoC41720432250834/JORDYN-ROMANO-WAS-ALSO-SUPPOSED-TO-DIE-THAT-DAY.jpg)
Jordyn Romano was also supposed to die that day'
Shooting survivor faces boyfriend's accused killers in court
![France's election drama produces a twist](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1758963/jRpT1yoo61720432117323/FRANCES-ELECTION-DRAMA-PRODUCES-A-TWIST.jpg)
France's election drama produces a twist
Left-wing coalition in lead as far right falls to third place
![Nest-laid plans go awry on Toronto Islands](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1758963/1SfPxFqNk1720431900596/NESTLAID-PLANS-GO-AWRY-ON-TORONTO-ISLANDS.jpg)
Nest-laid plans go awry on Toronto Islands
Appearance of bald eagles foils effort to keep cormorants at bay
![Rookie's dominant starts offer hope](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/U24tbuIds1720348822149/ROOKIES-DOMINANT-STARTS-OFFER-HOPE.jpg)
Rookie's dominant starts offer hope
Blue Jays still look like trade deadline sellers, but righty Rodríguez just might be a keeper
![England perfect in shootout](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/R2iXG8_iM1720348663188/ENGLAND-PERFECT-IN-SHOOTOUT.jpg)
England perfect in shootout
Alexander-Arnold nets winner to reach semifinals, redemption for Saka
![How did Shanaplan Leafs lose their way?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/fowuFHf6g1720348298631/HOW-DID-SHANAPLAN-LEAFS-LOSE-THEIR-WAY.jpg)
How did Shanaplan Leafs lose their way?
Potential, sure, but so few results, promises unkept
![ULTIMATE GOAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/kR6iF-pN61720348093131/ULTIMATE-GOAL.jpg)
ULTIMATE GOAL
Why Canada's run to semifinals means so much
![Do Canadians want more or less government in their lives?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/cIJn7O2Yi1720347925479/DO-CANADIANS-WANT-MORE-OR-LESS-GOVERNMENT-IN-THEIR-LIVES.jpg)
Do Canadians want more or less government in their lives?
In a recurring feature, Susan Delacourt, a small-I liberal, and Matt Gurney, a small-c conservative, bring their different perspectives - and shared commitment to civil disagreement to the political debates of the moment.
![Rescued cub finds new life](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/29971/1757968/3xQqDgF_M1720347860245/RESCUED-CUB-FINDS-NEW-LIFE.jpg)
Rescued cub finds new life
Freya, a six-month-old lion cub rescued from the wildlife trade in Lebanon, poked a curious nose out of her transport crate and sniffed the air. Satisfied, she took her first cautious steps in her new forever home in a sanctuary in South Africa.