Gardiner Expressway Maintenance Program

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:

  • 5,995 linear metres of minor cracks repaired
  • 50,130 m2 of milling completed using 9,164.6 tonnes of asphalt to resurface
  • 1,000 catch basins flushed and cleaned
  • 28 culverts inspected
  • Mechanical sweeping operations collected and removed 110 loads of debris totaling 309.92 tonnes
  • 31.45 tonnes of garbage and heavy debris removed by Solid Waste and Transportation Crews
  • 38 trees pruned and 308 small trees & saplings have been removed
  • 119 tonnes of asphalt used for grinding and paving of 1,103 m2 of large cracks or small areas of distressed asphalt
  • 267.5 metres of guiderail installed by In-house crews and 102 metres of guiderail installed by contracted forces
  • All bridge deck expansion joints, ramps and centre median wall have been cleaned and flushed
  • 1211.15 m2 of graffiti has been removed
  • Weed trimming and removal completed from Carlaw to Park Lawn
  • 11,120 metres of pavement markings installed
  • 18 RESCU diamond loop repairs completed, 4 RESCU cameras have been repaired or maintained
  • Routine maintenance performed on 8 variable message signs and 8 cabinets
  • 5 bridge deck inspections completed
  • 20 high-mast poles inspected
  • 70 light fixtures replaced
  • 160 lights re-lamped
  • 6,182 m2 of grinding and paving completed by ECS contractors between Cherry & Jarvis using 772.72 tonnes of asphalt

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.