Road maintenance is essential in keeping the F.G. Gardiner Expressway in a state of good repair. The roadway is a key element of Toronto’s transportation system and allows people and goods to travel in and out of the city every day, stimulating economic growth and development.
The City performs regular spring or fall maintenance every couple years on the Gardiner Expressway. This maintenance typically involves a full or partial closure of the expressway over a weekend that allows City road crews, engineers and other stakeholders to make improvements and keep the through-way in a state of good repair.
A full closure of the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, from the Don Valley Parkway to Highway 427 took place on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 11 p.m. to Monday, July 12, 2021 at 5 a.m.
Work completed during the closure included:
View the 2021 Gardiner Maintenance Video
The Gardiner Expressway has been in service for over 60 years. There is the potential for pieces of concrete from the underside of the structure to become loose. However, while these incidents are serious, it must be noted that they are in no way an indication that the expressway is not structurally sound.
After several concrete falls were recorded from the Gardiner Expressway in 2012, the City enhanced its inspection and controlled chipping program. The table below summarizes the calls received by the City every year since 2012 alerting of incidents of fallen concrete:
Year | Calls Received | Total |
2018* | 2 confirmed 7 unconfirmed |
9 |
2017 | 0 confirmed 4 unconfirmed |
4 |
2016 | 3 confirmed 9 unconfirmed |
12 |
2015 | 6 confirmed 14 unconfirmed |
20 |
2014 | 4 confirmed 15 unconfirmed |
19 |
2013 | 5 confirmed 19 unconfirmed |
24 |
2012 | 4 confirmed 5 unconfirmed |
9 |
* As of December 6, 2018
Standardized visual inspections of the Gardiner Expressway are conducted every two years, in accordance with Provincial guidelines. The inspections assess the condition of the various components of the expressway.
In addition, up-close detailed inspections of the expressway are conducted twice per year, including the underside of the elevated portion and fascia (a concrete cover).
These inspections guide the City’s controlled chipping program where crews use equipment to remove potentially loose pieces of concrete cover from the sides or underside of the structure.