Oakville residents are advised to plan ahead when considering their commuting and travel plans to and from downtown Toronto beginning at the end of April. The City of Toronto announced that it has scheduled three major construction projects for the Gardiner Expressway that will commence immediately after the city’s annual weekend maintenance closure beginning April 25. These construction projects will result in scheduled lane closures in both directions on the Gardiner Expressway throughout the construction period, which is slated for completion in December 2016.
The repairs to the Gardiner are certainly needed and are long overdue. Drivers will be impacted by the City of Toronto’s extensive road work. With 30-minute GO Train service on the Lakeshore line, increased parking spaces at Bronte and Oakville GO stations, and HOV lanes for carpoolers, residents of Oakville have some great options to best manage their commute to and from downtown Toronto.
According to the City of Toronto’s announcement, the three major Gardiner Expressway projects are:
- Median replacement between Ellis Avenue and Dufferin Street. One lane of traffic will be closed in each direction during most of this period, which is expected to be completed in August 2014.
- Structural rehabilitation of three bridges between the Humber River and Park Lawn Avenue. One eastbound lane will be closed during this period, which is expected to be completed in December 2014.
- Replacement of the deck on the elevated portion of the expressway from the CNE to Grand Magazine Street and the demolition of the Garrison Road bridge under the expressway, east of Strachan Avenue. One lane of traffic in each direction will be closed during this closure, which is expected to be completed in December 2016. All traffic lanes will be restored from June to August 2015 for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.
While steps are being taken to minimize the disruption, the City of Toronto is asking for drivers’ patience throughout the construction period. Improved GO service not only eases traffic congestion but will also help you avoid the construction on the Gardiner.
Quick Facts:
- During peak hours, GO Trains run about every 10-15 minutes.
- 30-minute off-peak GO Train service on the Lakeshore West route began in June 2013.
- 3,300 plus new parking spaces have been added to Oakville and Bronte GO Stations since 2003, making it easier for commuters to get to work, school, and appointments.
- Additional GO Train service along the Lakeshore line by purchasing more tracks, upgrading existing tracks and adding a third track.
- $9.1 billion in GO Transit to improve service and expand routes in the last 11 years