Toronto traffic just got a little bit easier to handle after the Gardiner Expressway fully reopened Monday morning, but the City of Toronto says one final weekend closure is being planned to completely finish the project.
The nearly finished construction on the 60-year-old highway is over a year ahead of schedule, after starting in 2023 with lane closures beginning in March 2024.Â
Over the weekend, a section of the Gardiner between Highway 427 and Spadina Avenue was completely closed to complete maintenance and final preparatory work on all six lanes.
A second, and final, temporary closure in that same area is planned for Saturday night, but the timing will depend on the Blue Jays’ World Series schedule. All six lanes are expected to reopen the morning of Nov. 3.Â
The project was initially expected to finish in April 2027, but city officials signalled last year that the work would be done sooner.
The expedited construction completion comes after the province spent $73 million this year to speed up the project, including allowing work around the clock.Â
Construction crews completed maintenance work on the Gardiner Expressway this weekend in the first of two temporary planned partial closures. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a social media post that all six lanes of the Gardiner were opened Monday between Dufferin and Strachan.
“Thank you to the crews working 24/7 and to all residents for your patience,” she said.
Closures on the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner between Bayview Avenue and Jarvis Street are also expected nightly between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday to Friday this week as part of Ontario Line construction.
Nearly 140,000 drivers use the Gardiner Expressway daily, according to the province.