This morning, Mayor John Tory launched Toronto’s 2021 construction season with more than $1 billion in work planned for roads, bridges, expressways, TTC tracks, sewers and watermains. Mayor Tory was joined by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, to announce the kick-off of the 2021 construction season.
Approximately $446 million will be spent on rehabilitating and improving transportation infrastructure including:
As well, approximately $616 million will be invested in water infrastructure including:
Some of the major projects planned for this year include:
Last year, the City delivered $1.080 billion in construction related to water and transportation infrastructure.
City-led construction is considered an essential service by the Province of Ontario and is necessary municipal work to ensure Toronto’s infrastructure remains safe, in a state of good repair and able to meet Toronto’s needs now and in the future.
The health and safety of all workers involved in construction, both contracted and City staff, is of paramount importance. Contractors must continue to abide by the terms and conditions of their contracts, most importantly the Occupational Health and Safety Act and adhere to guidelines issued by public health authorities and the Ministry of Labour to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safest possible environment for construction workers.
The City takes an active approach to coordinating construction to reduce prolonged disruption to local residents and the travelling public. Where possible, staff consider all the potential construction needs of a particular area and liaise with outside agencies such as the TTC, Toronto Hydro and utility companies to coordinate their construction needs and plan how to complete the work together in stages or at the same time.
Regular maintenance on roads, bikeways and sidewalks will continue to keep people safe. City crews continue to perform daily pothole repairs, as well as plan weekend pothole repair blitzes, and have already repaired more than 40,000 since January. Other essential maintenance activities continue throughout the construction season, including localized repairs to roads and sidewalks, bridges, grass cutting and street sweeping.
The annual weekend maintenance closure of the Gardiner Expressway is expected to take place from 11 p.m. on June 25 until 5 a.m. on June 28, closing the entire expressway from Highway 427 to the Don Valley Parkway. The annual weekend maintenance closure of the Don Valley Parkway is expected to take place from 11 p.m. on August 6 until 5 a.m. on August 9. In order to keep the City’s rapidly growing cycling network safe, the City will undertake a new bikeway maintenance pilot this summer. Existing City crews will be deployed for frequent and dedicated inspection, maintenance and localized repairs on Toronto’s bike infrastructure.
During construction, the public are advised to plan their travel in advance, consider alternate routes, be aware that street parking may be impacted, obey signage around work zones and be patient while traveling in and around work zones throughout the city.
Individuals are encouraged to use the City’s web-based map, https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-restrictions-closures/restrictions-map/, to help plan travel and avoid road closures.
Information about the City’s planned capital construction work is available at https://map.toronto.ca/toinview/.
Quotes:
“Municipal construction and the work we’re doing to improve our infrastructure will help fuel our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and keep the foundations of this city in a state of good repair, especially when the economy begins to open up. As we continue the vaccine rollout in Toronto, the need to renew the City’s aging water and transportation infrastructure, which millions of residents rely on every year, is stronger than ever. We need to ensure our roads, sidewalks, bridges, expressways, watermains, TTC tracks, storm and sanitary sewers meet the needs of increased activity and can keep up with the city’s growth now and in the future.”
– Mayor John Tory
“With fewer commuters travelling on our streets due to the pandemic, now is the perfect time for the City to accelerate needed road construction and repair. I want to remind all road users travelling through construction zones to please obey signs and reduce speed limits for the safety of the travelling public and construction crews working on-site. In order to best navigate construction, please be patient and plan your travel in advance. These infrastructure projects will help keep Toronto working and support our economic recovery.”
– Councillor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.