TORONTO, Canada – The Ontario government is helping to accelerate construction on the Gardiner Expressway by at least one year by providing up to $73 million to the City of Toronto on the condition that work may be allowed to proceed up to a 24/7 basis. This accelerated timeline moves the construction completion date from April 2027 to at least April 2026, which will benefit Ontario’s economy by an estimated $273 million by getting drivers and goods out of gridlock a year faster than planned.
“Our government is helping get the 140,000 drivers from Toronto, Peel, Halton, York, Hamilton and across Ontario who use the Gardiner Expressway each day out of gridlock and where they need to go faster,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, minister of transportation. “The practical solutions we are implementing to speed up construction, like 24/7 work, will provide major economic benefits to Ontario and make life easier and more convenient for drivers from across the province, and in the local community.”
Ontario’s investment will support contractors working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with multiple shifts per day. Additional measures also being supported through this funding agreement to improve traffic flow include modification of the Jameson to West Bound Gardiner on-ramp, opening a left-turn lane at Spadina Avenue from Lake Shore East Boulevard and relaxing noise restrictions and overnight lane closures.
“Together with the provincial government, we can rebuild the Gardiner Expressway more quickly and ease the painful congestion in downtown Toronto,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “Working together, we can repair our aging infrastructure, ensure that the Gardiner Expressway is safe and help people get around our city easier.”
The current phase of work on the Gardiner Expressway involves the full demolition and rebuilding of 700 metres of elevated roadway from Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue, rehabilitating the supporting structures and adding a new traffic management system and streetlights.
“Toronto’s congestion costs Ontario’s economy dearly, and that’s why the Ontario Chamber welcomes today’s announcement to accelerate construction of the Gardiner, alongside recent transit investments that will help move more people faster while taking cars off our roads. As the GTHA’s population grows, so must our economy – and that requires both long-term investment in infrastructure, and long-term partnerships between all governments and all stakeholders.” ~ Daniel Tisch, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
