The Ontario government is investing up to $73 million to accelerate the construction of Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, cutting the timeline by at least a year. Initially set for completion in April 2027, the project is now projected to finish by April 2026, significantly reducing traffic congestion and boosting economic productivity.

Drivers in Toronto have something to look forward to: the long-running construction on the Gardiner Expressway is now set to wrap up a year earlier, thanks to a new $73 million investment from the Ontario government. Initially slated to finish in April 2027, the project is now expected to be complete by April 2026, cutting down months of ongoing traffic disruptions.

“Our government is helping get the 140,000 drivers from Toronto, Peel, Halton, York, Hamilton, and across Ontario who use the Gardiner Expressway each day out of gridlock and where they need to go faster,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The practical solutions we are implementing to speed up construction, like 24/7 work, will provide major economic benefits to Ontario and make life easier and more convenient for drivers from across the province, and in the local community.”

The funding will allow construction teams to operate 24/7, speeding up the repairs on the critical section between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue. This includes rebuilding the elevated roadway, rehabilitating supporting structures, and introducing key traffic improvements, such as a new left-turn lane at Spadina Avenue and changes to the Jameson on-ramp.

While the 24-hour work schedule will help accelerate progress, city officials are aware of the potential impact on nearby residents. To address noise concerns, the loudest demolition work will be restricted to certain hours during the day and early evening, according to Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik.

“Together with the provincial government, we can rebuild the Gardiner Expressway more quickly and ease the painful congestion in downtown Toronto,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “Working together, we can repair our aging infrastructure, ensure that the Gardiner Expressway is safe and help people get around our city easier.”

Once complete, the faster timeline is expected to generate over $270 million in economic benefits by improving traffic flow and reducing delays across the city. For now, residents and commuters can take some comfort in knowing that the end of the Gardiner’s construction woes may finally be on the horizon.