Friday, June 5, 2026
As part of the ongoing implementation of the Ontario’s New Deal for Toronto, the province announced it will upload ownership and maintenance of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway (DVP) effective fall 2027.
“Uploading the Gardiner Expressway and DVP is part of our plan to tackle bumper-to-bumper traffic impacting drivers from across Ontario and support municipal investments in public transit, homes and other vital infrastructure residents are relying on. We will never toll these highways, and we will never tear them down,” said Premier Doug Ford.
To support the transfer of the Gardiner Expressway and DVP to provincial ownership, the government is providing up to $353 million to the City of Toronto to continue operating and maintaining both highways until the transfer is complete. During this transition, the province will help guide capital decisions to align work on both highways with applicable provincial standards.
“The upload of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway is a major milestone in our new deal with the province and demonstrates what can be achieved when governments work together,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “Returning these regional highways to provincial responsibility will reduce the financial burden on Toronto taxpayers and allow the city to focus more of its resources on the roads, transit, bridges and community infrastructure that residents rely on every day.”
Since the New Deal for Toronto was announced in November 2023, the provincial government has provided $431.4 million in financial support for the City of Toronto to support the maintenance and repair of the two highways. This included $73 million to accelerate repairs on the Gardiner Expressway, which led to the completion of repairs more than 18 months ahead of schedule.
“Our government is making historic investments in highway infrastructure to fight gridlock and keep people and goods moving across Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “By taking ownership of the Gardiner Expressway and DVP, we are keeping these vital highways toll-free for the long term and helping the more than 140,000 drivers who rely on the Gardiner every day get where they need to go safely and reliably.”
Featured image: (Government of Ontario)
