The Government of Ontario is marking the start of the second phase of construction on the Gardiner Expressway four months ahead of schedule. The early milestone is the result of the government’s $73 million investment in the project on the condition that construction work may be allowed to proceed 24/7.
“We’re making real progress on our government’s plan to fight gridlock and keep drivers moving,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we’re not only getting it done on the Gardiner Expressway, we’re also bringing common sense changes to bike lanes through new legislation and speeding up construction of priority highway projects like Highway 413, Bradford Bypass and the Garden City Skway bridge, to help get drivers across the province out of gridlock.”
With two eastbound lanes on the Gardiner Expressway now rehabilitated and reopened, crews will begin the demolition and reconstruction of two centre lanes, before completing work on the remaining two westbound lanes. The full project is expected to be finished one year ahead of schedule and includes revitalizing 700 metres of elevated roadway from Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue, reinforcing support structures, installing new streetlights and upgrading the traffic management system.
In November 2023, the Ontario government and the City of Toronto reached a New Deal to help ensure Toronto’s long-term financial stability, including up to $1.2 billion in provincial operating supports over three years and significant capital relief, including uploading the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway to the province, subject to third-party due diligence.
Featured image: (City of Toronto)