Ontario Government Accelerates Gardiner Expressway Construction by One Year with $73 Million Investment
TORONTO — In a move to alleviate traffic congestion and stimulate economic growth, the Ontario government has announced an investment of up to $73 million to accelerate the ongoing construction of the Gardiner Expressway. This funding aims to shorten the construction timeline by at least one year, shifting the projected completion from April 2027 to April 2026.
The Gardiner Expressway, a critical transportation artery for the Greater Toronto Area, sees daily usage from approximately 140,000 drivers, including those commuting from Toronto, Peel, Halton, York, and Hamilton. The accelerated construction schedule, enabled by the new funding, is expected to reduce gridlock and improve traffic flow, generating an estimated $273 million in economic benefits by easing transportation delays sooner than initially planned.
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, emphasized the broader implications of the project: ““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.”
Today, I joined Minister @PrabSarkaria to announce we’re speeding up the reconstruction of the Gardiner by up to a year and investing in tackling congestion.
Together, we’ll get Toronto moving.
Read more here: https://t.co/dVw85fKVEc pic.twitter.com/p8wt8pSXbY
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) July 24, 2024
The investment supports around-the-clock work schedules for contractors, with multiple shifts operating daily. Key infrastructure improvements include modifications to the Jameson Avenue to West Bound Gardiner on-ramp, the opening of a new left-turn lane at Spadina Avenue from Lake Shore East Boulevard, and the relaxation of noise restrictions and overnight lane closures to facilitate uninterrupted progress.
Mayor Olivia Chow expressed her support for the partnership between the provincial government and the City of Toronto, stating, “Together with the provincial government, we can rebuild the Gardiner Expressway more quickly and ease the painful congestion in downtown Toronto.”
The current phase of the project focuses on the complete demolition and reconstruction of a 700-meter section of the elevated roadway between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue. In addition to rebuilding the roadway, the project includes rehabilitating the supporting structures and installing a new traffic management system and streetlights.
As construction progresses, residents and commuters can expect updates on the project’s milestones and any changes to traffic patterns. The Ontario government’s investment underscores its commitment to improving transportation infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for Ontario residents.
