Construction of the Gardiner Section 2 from Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue began in November 2023 and is anticipated to be completed mid-2027.
The F.G. Gardiner Expressway has been in service for more than 60 years and with the effects of weathering, salt and increasing traffic loads, it is approaching the end of its original design life. In order to maintain a safe roadway and ensure a state of good repair, a Strategic Rehabilitation Plan consisting of six complex projects was adopted by Toronto City Council in December 2016. Section 1 construction work was completed in 2021.
The scope of work for Gardiner Section 2 involves replacing 700 metres of concrete deck and girders, rehabilitating the associated substructure and installing new street lighting.
Demolition work is underway on the Gardiner Expressway between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, as part of the rehabilitation project that will ensure the safety and reliability of the Expressway for years to come.
As the City continues to make progress in the rehabilitation of the Gardiner Expressway between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, the next stage of the work – the demolition and reconstruction – is scheduled to begin in early to mid-May. The work will take place in three main stages, ensuring a minimum of two lanes of traffic are open in each direction (with intermittent, additional lane reductions as required):
Work will include:
While the City aims to reduce noise disruptions, expect significant noise from demolition activities. Noise monitoring is set up to ensure levels remain within the set thresholds.
As part of the ongoing Gardiner Expressway Rehabilitation Project between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, starting as early as 11 p.m. on Monday, April 8 one eastbound lane will be closed with intermittent overnight closures of a second lane as required. The eastbound on-ramp from Lake Shore Boulevard east of Jameson Avenue will also be closed to facilitate traffic merging and congestion management near the work zone.
Starting as soon as Wednesday, April 10, one westbound lane will be closed with intermittent overnight closures of a second lane as required.
These lane closures will remain in effect until the project concludes in mid-2027, with a brief re-opening for FIFA World Cup 26™ from May to the end of July 2026.
Beginning March 25, lane closures on the Gardiner Expressway will be implemented between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue for pre-construction work.
The work will occur in stages, impacting one lane in each direction at a time, starting with the eastbound lanes.
During the eastbound lane closure, the eastbound on-ramp from Lake Shore Boulevard, east of Jameson Avenue, will also be closed to facilitate this work. Intermittent additional nightly lane reductions will also occur.
There are no lane restrictions planned over the March long weekend (Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31) or Saturday, April 6 until the evening of Monday, April 8.
Following the pre-construction work, long–term lane restrictions will begin. Starting in mid-April, the Gardiner Expressway will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, with intermittent additional nightly lane reductions as necessary.
Construction Start Up Notice (Dated: February 9, 2024)
March 2024
Work Hours: Construction will take place primarily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with occasional work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Scheduling may vary based on the nature of the work.
Overnight Work: During overnight hours, various activities, including the shifting of traffic barriers between work stages and the delivery of materials, may take place intermittently. When structure work is required over the Exhibition GO Station, overnight construction work will be permitted when the station is not in operation in order to minimize impacts to transit users. During these times, construction impacts and noise levels are expected to be similar to daytime construction activities.
Pedestrian Access: Pedestrian access on Manitoba Drive and through the Exhibition GO Station connecting Atlantic Avenue to Manitoba Drive will be maintained for the duration of the project with intermittent closures as required to allow for overhead work. This will take place during the night when the Exhibition GO Station is not in use, which typically begins half an hour after the last GO Train departs Exhibition GO Station and up to half an hour before the first GO Train arrives at Exhibition Station. During these times, signage will be posted.
A detailed congestion management plan will be used to address the impact of the Gardiner Expressway lane reductions and the other construction taking place downtown. Leveraging the Liberty Village Construction Hub, the plan will include traffic diversion, a coordinated signage plan, the use of traffic agents, automated congestion monitoring, signal timing adjustments, and public transit adjustments.
Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel and consider public transit.
Currently, planned travel impacts beginning in late March 2024 include:
TTC Service Impacts
Metrolinx Service Impacts
Prior to the commencement of demolition activities, extensive preparatory work was required. As the initial demolition will be on the south portion, work had to be completed to safely enable the relocation of traffic to the north side and prepare the structure for demolition. This included:
The City is rehabilitating the Gardiner Expressway between Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue. Subscribe to receive details of construction activities that may be disruptive.
Type (don’t copy and paste) your email into the box below, check the box next to the e-update description and then click “Subscribe”. You will receive an email with instructions to confirm your request.