Gardiner Expressway work will run 24/7 to speed up timeline | CBC News

Ontario says it is providing up to $73 million to ensure construction crews rehabilitating Toronto’s aging Gardiner Expressway can work 24/7, moving up the expected completion time for the project by one year.

The accelerated timeline means the ongoing work could be finished by April 2026, rather than April 2027, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Wednesday.

Construction started in March to refurbish the 60-year-old highway and portions of its elevated structure that run through Toronto’s downtown core. The scope of the current phase of the project includes demolishing and rebuilding a 700-metre stretch of elevated roadway from Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue.

The $300-million undertaking is part of a larger multi-billion dollar effort to save the roadway. It was previously expected the work would require rotating lane closures for the next three years.

About 140,000 drivers use the Gardiner Expressway each day, according to the province. The current construction has reduced the highway’s overall capacity by about a third.

“We know the rehabilitation of the Gardiner is taking a toll on Ontario families and businesses, with rush hour travel times more than doubling,” Sarkaria said.

“From an economic perspective, it is very important to the productivity of the city and for those who are visiting and using the Gardiner every single day,” he added.

The funding injection from the province will also be used for several measures intended to improve traffic flow in the area, including: 

• Modifying the westbound on-ramp from Jameson Avenue.
• Opening a left-turn lane from Lake Shore Boulevard East to Spadina Avenue.
• Reducing the number of overnight lane closures.

Asked about concerns 24/7 construction could negatively impact downtown residents who live near the Gardiner, Chow said the city will carefully consider what work is done during the day versus at night.

“We have very carefully considered that element,” she told reporters. “We will do our best not to disturb the local neighbours.”

Sarkaria said if contractors miss deadlines, they will not receive incentivization payments that are part of the funding boost.

In November, Chow and Premier Doug Ford announced responsibility for the maintenance and operation of the Gardiner would be uploaded to the province as part of a “new deal” for the city. That process is expected to happen gradually over the next two years.

Toronto city council voted unanimously on a plan from city staff to speed up construction on the Gardiner on Wednesday afternoon.