The congestion on Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway has worsened due to years-long lane closures for road repairs. Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, suggested that around-the-clock construction could help shorten the time frame for these repairs. Parts of the Gardiner have been reduced to one lane in each direction for critical rehabilitation work between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue for three years. Both the Ford government and the City of Toronto are responsible for the road, as ownership transfers from city hall to Queen’s Park through a new deal signed at the end of 2023.
The Ford government is paying for the rehabilitation work on the Gardiner Expressway, while the City of Toronto is managing it. Sarkaria is willing to use any tool to speed up construction, including allowing construction work to take place through the night. Jennifer Graham Harkness, Toronto’s executive director of engineering and construction services, stated that current construction work on the road is taking place between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday to Saturday. She mentioned that there is an opportunity for work to take place on Sundays and for quiet work to be done during the night.
The current phase of work on the Gardiner Expressway involves replacing 700 meters of elevated bridge surface, rehabilitating supporting structures underneath, and adding a new traffic management system and streetlights. This has caused significant delays for drivers using the expressway, prompting calls to address the delays faster than the city’s three-year timeline. Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his desire to work with the city to solve the traffic issues on the Gardiner Expressway. Mayor Olivia Chow’s office mentioned that some work is already taking place overnight along the route, but they are unsure of how much additional work could be done at night.
The project is part of a broader rehabilitation plan for the aging Gardiner Expressway, designed almost a decade ago to take place in several stages. The first section of rehabilitation, between Jarvis and Cherry streets in the east end, was completed in 2021. The current phase involves significant construction work, including the replacement of bridge surfaces and the rehabilitation of supporting structures. Mayor Olivia Chow’s office did not confirm if full, 24-hour construction is supported by the mayor, but they mentioned that some work is already taking place overnight. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria are willing to work with the city to speed up the construction and address the congestion on the expressway.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria is open to using any tool, including around-the-clock construction, to speed up the road repairs on the Gardiner Expressway. City officials have stated that some construction work, such as girder removal and material delivery, could be done while nearby residents sleep. The project involves replacing bridge surfaces, rehabilitating supporting structures, and adding a new traffic management system and streetlights. Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed his willingness to collaborate with the city to find solutions to the congestion on the Gardiner Expressway. There is pressure to accelerate the construction work and address the delays faster than the current timeline of three years. Mayor Olivia Chow’s office did not confirm support for full, 24-hour construction, but they mentioned that work is already taking place overnight along the route.
Overall, the current rehabilitation work on the Gardiner Expressway has caused significant congestion and delays for drivers. Ontario’s Minister of Transportation and the City of Toronto are working together to speed up the construction and address the disruptions caused by the lane closures. There are discussions about the possibility of conducting construction work around-the-clock, including during the night and on weekends. The project is part of a broader plan to rehabilitate the aging expressway and improve infrastructure in the area. Both government officials and city officials are committed to finding solutions to the congestion on the Gardiner Expressway and ensuring that the construction work is completed efficiently and effectively.
