The City of Toronto is set to begin essential repair work on five bridges along the Gardiner Expressway in spring 2025. This initiative, part of the Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan, aims to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of this vital transportation corridor. The project includes innovative construction strategies and accelerated timelines to minimize disruptions while addressing critical infrastructure needs.
Project Highlights: Bridges Targeted for Repairs
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Park Lawn Road and Mimico Creek Overpasses: These overpasses and the westbound on-ramp from Park Lawn Road over Mimico Creek will be replaced, with funding provided by the Ontario government under the Ontario-Toronto New Deal.
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Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue Bridges: The City of Toronto will fund repairs to these bridges spanning the Gardiner Expressway.
Timeline and Milestones
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January 2025: Contract advertisement for bridge repairs.
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Spring 2025: Construction begins.
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May to July 2026: Temporary pause in construction to accommodate increased traffic during the FIFA World Cup™.
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December 2026: Project completion.
Accelerating Construction with Innovative Measures
City of Toronto News Release reports that to meet tight deadlines and reduce traffic impacts, the City will employ strategies inspired by the ongoing rehabilitation work in Section 2 of the Gardiner Expressway. These measures include:
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Round-the-Clock Operations: Crews will work 24/7 when necessary to maintain progress.
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Early Completion Incentives: Rewards for contractors who meet or exceed project deadlines.
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Traffic Management Tools: Temporary modifications such as turning lanes to maintain traffic flow during construction.
Anticipated Traffic Impacts
The City has carefully planned the project to minimize lane closures. Key impacts include:
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Eastbound Gardiner Expressway: Lanes from Mimico Creek to Park Lawn Road will be narrowed but remain open with no reductions.
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Westbound Gardiner Expressway: Lanes from Park Lawn Road to Mimico Creek will be reduced from four to three lanes for about one year.
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Park Lawn Road: Reduced to a single lane in each direction for approximately two months.
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Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue: Reduced from six lanes to four lanes for roughly eight months.
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Park Lawn Road On-Ramp: Full closure from November 2025 to April 2026.
Stakeholder Collaboration
To mitigate disruptions, the City is working closely with key stakeholders:
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Ontario Food Terminal: Construction schedules will align with the terminal’s low season, and dedicated detour routes will facilitate truck traffic.
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Local Residents and Businesses: Efforts will be made to balance the needs of road users with those of nearby communities.
Importance of the Gardiner Expressway
The Gardiner Expressway is a crucial link in Toronto’s transportation network, facilitating local and regional traffic and supporting the movement of goods. Maintaining its infrastructure is essential for public safety, economic activity, and long-term reliability. The planned repairs underscore the City’s dedication to modernizing critical infrastructure while minimizing disruptions and managing costs.
Background on the Gardiner Expressway Rehabilitation Plan
The Gardiner Expressway Rehabilitation Plan is a multi-stage effort to upgrade and maintain one of Toronto’s most significant transportation routes:
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Section 3 Repairs: Scheduled from 2027 to 2031, covering the stretch from Highway 427 to the Humber River. Five bridges in this section have been prioritized for earlier repairs due to their critical condition.
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Section 2 Progress: Rehabilitation work between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue began in November 2023. Accelerated timelines have moved the completion date from April 2027 to April 2026, with Stage 1 finishing four months ahead of schedule.
Long-Term Benefits
This advanced repair work will deliver substantial benefits:
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Enhanced Safety: Critical repairs ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
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Reduced Congestion: Strategic planning and innovative construction methods improve traffic flow.
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Economic Impact: Reliable infrastructure supports the smooth transportation of goods and reinforces the Gardiner’s role in the local and regional economy.
Conclusion
Toronto’s proactive approach to the Gardiner Expressway repairs highlights a commitment to maintaining critical infrastructure while balancing the needs of road users, businesses, and residents. By incorporating innovative measures and accelerating timelines, the City is addressing urgent repair needs and ensuring the long-term safety and reliability of one of its most important transportation routes. The completion of this project by December 2026 will mark a major milestone in Toronto’s infrastructure modernization efforts.
