‘Milestone’: Next phase of Gardiner Expressway work set to begin

The 2nd signifier of operation connected Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway volition statesman earlier than initially planned.

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria called it a “milestone” infinitesimal Thursday, and linked the advancement to the province’s $73-million concern successful the project.

“This milestone means 2 eastbound lanes connected the Gardiner Expressway are present rehabilitated and person reopened,” Sarkaria said.

“Workers volition statesman the demolition and reconstruction of the 2 cardinal lanes arsenic aboriginal arsenic time earlier completing the last 3rd signifier of enactment connected the remaining 2 westbound lanes.”

The project, which began successful the spring, has caused important gridlock and accrued clip sitting successful traffic. The much than 60-year-old roadway was expected to beryllium closed for 3 years and would lone afloat reopen temporarily for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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However, successful July, the Ontario government announced it would springiness $73 cardinal to Toronto on the information that enactment beryllium allowed to proceed connected a round-the-clock basis.

The provincial authorities said the accelerated timeline would determination the existent operation completion day to “at least” April 2026 from April 2027.

Last month, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said the task was 4 months up of docket – a fig reiterated by Sarkaria Thursday.

“There’s assorted parts to this project.… Sometimes you mightiness not spot it, but contiguous is impervious that that 24-7 operation is working, and radical are seeing the results of that,” helium said.

“The wealth is being good spent with respect to that.”