Many commuters in Toronto are bracing themselves for traffic delays now that a stretch of the Gardiner Expressway is reduced to two lanes for the next three years.
The closure impacts the stretch of the highway from Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue, which is about 700 metres, and the city says divers can expect intermittent additional lane closures as needed. In addition, the eastbound on-ramp from Lake Shore Boulevard east of Jameson Avenue will be closed.
The initial work on this stretch of the highway started in November 2023, and construction is set to run through mid-2027.
As of Mar. 25, one lane in each direction was closed for the work and there were some additional overnight closures of a second lane as needed.
The city reports that the Gardiner Expressway, which is over 60 years old, is reaching the end of its service life due to the effects of age, heavy daily use, weather and salt.
Plans for the project include replacing 700 metres of the elevated bridge surface on the expressway, rehabilitating the support system for the elevated expressway, as well as adding a new traffic management system and streetlights.
The city says the work is mainly set to take place between Monday and Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
TORONTONIANS NOT IMPRESSED WITH GARDINER LANE CLOSURE
Online, people are already airing their grievances over the lane reductions, with a lot of people feeling this is making the congested traffic situation in the city even worse.
“This will be a nightmare for commuters,” wrote one X user.
“Ok so I will not drive in Toronto for the next 5 years because that’s how long this will really take LOL enjoy,” said another.
“Toronto is and will always be an hour from Toronto!”
While others have questions about the length of time the project is set to take.
“So we’re supposed to believe that the government can contract to have 3.9 million homes built in 7 years when less than a kilometre of road requires 3 years for completion? Really?” asked one social media user.
“It’s absolutely absurd that they’re closing a lane on the main highway in and out of Canada’s biggest city for 3 years.”
And some people are just trying to make the best of a bad situation.
“Going to be finished faster than the Eglinton LRT,” another person joked.
“Now is the moment to go give some love to Go trains and TTC.”
