Toronto to Reallocate $1.9 Billion from Gardiner and DVP Upload for Key City Investments

Toronto, ON – Toronto City Council has greenlit a comprehensive plan to reallocate approximately $1.9 billion in funds from the recent upload of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway (DVP) to the Province of Ontario. This decision, part of the Ontario-Toronto New Deal approved on December 13, 2023, marks a significant step towards addressing the city’s pressing needs in transit, housing, and infrastructure.

The initial portion of these funds, totaling $50 million, has been earmarked in the 2024 Budget for critical state-of-good-repair projects under Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Transportation Services. The City plans to allocate the remaining funds in its 10-year Capital Plan during the 2025 Budget process. The planned distributions include:

• $500 million for TTC base system improvements
• $400 million for Parks, Forestry and Recreation state-of-good-repair
• $350 million for Transportation Services state-of-good-repair
• $300 million for housing state-of-good-repair and infrastructure development
• $200 million for Corporate Real Estate Management state-of-good-repair
• $100 million for the Broadview Eastern Flood Protection project

Mayor Olivia Chow highlighted the importance of these investments, emphasizing their role in maintaining and improving essential services across the city. “Together with the provincial government, we can rebuild the Gardiner Expressway more quickly and ease the painful congestion in downtown Toronto. Working together, we can repair our aging infrastructure, ensure that the Gardiner Expressway is safe and help people get around our city easier.”

Accelerated Construction on Gardiner Expressway

In addition to these investments, the City and Province have announced an accelerated construction plan for the Gardiner Expressway’s Section 2. Recognized as a vital component of Toronto’s transportation infrastructure, the Gardiner facilitates the movement of goods and commuters, playing a crucial role in the local and regional economy.

To expedite the completion of construction, the plan includes extended work hours of approximately 20 hours per day, six days a week, with the possibility of working seven days as needed. This effort aims to shift the project completion date from April 2027 to as early as April 2026. The strategy involves additional equipment, multiple daily shifts, and the fast-tracking of material prefabrication and delivery.

This initiative follows a series of workshops held in June, where city officials and industry experts discussed strategies for managing congestion and accelerating urban expressway projects. The City and Province are committed to minimizing disruptions to the public while efficiently managing the project’s complexities and costs.

Toronto’s proactive approach in partnership with the Ontario government underscores a shared commitment to enhancing infrastructure, alleviating traffic congestion, and ensuring sustainable growth for the city’s future.

For further details on the Ontario-Toronto New Deal and the City’s Corporate Asset Management Plan, visit Toronto’s official documentation and Ontario’s official site.