Gardiner Expressway Closure: Key Routes Shut Until Monday AM

URGENT UPDATE: The Gardiner Expressway from Spadina Avenue to Highway 427 is closed until Monday morning, impacting thousands of commuters. The closure began after the conclusion of Game 2 of the World Series on Friday, as reported by the City of Toronto.

This critical closure is necessary for maintenance and final preparations to ensure the safe reopening of all six lanes. Depending on weather conditions this weekend, officials anticipate that three westbound lanes and two eastbound lanes could reopen by around 7 a.m. on October 27, just in time for the Monday morning rush hour.

This work is part of the city’s ambitious plan to fully reopen the Gardiner Expressway from Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue a remarkable 18 months ahead of the original construction schedule. The current repairs mark a significant milestone in the extensive rehabilitation of this major highway, which began with the Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan passed by city council in December 2016.

The first section, spanning from Jarvis to Cherry Streets, was completed in 2021. Now, the focus shifts to advancing repairs on five key bridges between Highway 427 and the Humber River. This includes critical structures over Park Lawn Road, Mimico Creek, Kipling Avenue, and Islington Avenue.

“These repairs are essential for maintaining the integrity of our infrastructure,” a city spokesperson stated. “We are employing accelerated strategies to ensure substantial completion by late 2026.” This timeline aligns with Toronto’s preparations to host the FIFA World Cup in June 2026, making the urgency of this work even more critical.

As the city continues these essential repairs, commuters are advised to plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time. The ongoing work not only affects daily traffic but also represents a broader commitment to improving Toronto’s infrastructure for future events.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops, and share this information with fellow commuters to help them navigate the changes.