On Monday, March 25, lane restrictions will begin on the Gardiner Expressway between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue for critical rehabilitation work on the more than 60 year old route that is reaching its end of service life. This is the next phase of the City of Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan.
Road impacts
Those travelling in and out of Toronto should expect the following road impacts with approximate dates:
To keep traffic flowing during construction, the City will use a detailed congestion management plan that includes diversions, traffic agents and signal timing adjustments. Traffic impacts will be monitored and further congestion management measures will be added as required.
The City is working to balance critical construction while limiting the impact on road users and neighbouring residents.
Importance of Gardiner rehabilitation work
The Gardiner Expressway is more than 60 years old and is reaching the end of its service life due to the effects of age, heavy daily use, weather and salt.
Between 2014 and 2016, Toronto City Council approved the Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan, which divides all the needed repair work into six sections. More information is available on the City’s website.
The first section, from Jarvis to Cherry Streets, was completed in 2021.
Details of construction
Preparatory work on this portion of the Gardiner began in November 2023 and construction is expected to continue until mid-2027. Details of this work, which will primarily take place Monday to Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., include:
Other work, including girder removal and replacement, shifting of traffic barriers between work stages and the delivery of materials, may be required at night.
The rehabilitation of this stretch is complex as the roadway is elevated, very narrow and busy. Drivers may not see workers along the Gardiner during road closures, as much of the work will be done from underneath.
In 2026, from May to the end of July, the Expressway will be fully open with no lane restrictions to accommodate the increased traffic anticipated during the FIFA World Cup™.
Quotes:
“This construction is urgently needed to keep traffic flowing and keep our communities connected. The City is committed to completing this section of work to ensure a state of good repair for generations to come as we focus on getting Toronto back on track.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“Repairing the Gardiner is critical for keeping our City moving forward. We are committed to minimizing traffic and noise disruption while ensuring this important work is completed in a timely manner so Torontonians can continue to have a reliable journey on the Expressway.”
– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
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