Drivers in Toronto are going to have to keep cool behind the wheel this summer as the season of road closures and construction descends upon the city. Over the next several months, the city plans to spend an estimated $310 million to maintain and upgrade roads, expressways and bridges; $310 million on sewers and watermains; and, $70 million on basement flooding protection. Add it all up and it’s going to be a busy construction season in the city.
"This is critical work that needs to be undertaken to maintain our infrastructure in a good state of repair," said Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "We're working hard on all fronts to minimize disruption for residents and get the construction done as quickly and efficiently as possible."
To minimize traffic congestion the city has indicated they’ll extend hours for key projects, bundle projects, implement signal-timing changes on parallel routes, and enhance signage at work locations.
Roads to keep an eye on
If you frequent any of the following roads, you can likely bank on construction affecting your commute. These are just a few of the areas the city has targeted for major projects in 2017:
Street Area Affected Type of Work Being Done Wellington Street York Street to Church Street Watermain work, TTC streetcar track replacement and road resurfacing Dundas Street East Yonge Street to Church Street TTC track replacement, watermain work and road resurfacing Birchmount Road McNicoll Avenue to Steeles Avenue East Road resurfacing Don Mills Road Lawrence Avenue to Wynford Drive Road resurfacing and watermain work Burnhamthorpe Road Dundas Street West to Martin Grove Road Road resurfacing Lake Shore Boulevard Leslie Street to Woodbine Avenue Road resurfacing The Queensway The bridge that goes over the Humber River Bridge rehabilitation Queen Street West Intersection at McCaul Street TTC track work
Toronto highway construction and closure plans
In addition to road woes around town, they city has also highlighted a few major highway projects and events that drivers should prepare for in the months ahead.
Gardiner Expressway
- Beginning April 17, the Gardiner Expressway eastbound off ramp at York/Bay/Yonge will be closed until January, 2018. The ramp is being demolished and replaced.
DVP and Gardiner Expressway Closures: Special Events
Road maintenance and construction are not the only activities that you need to plan alternate routes around.
- On Sunday, June 4th, the DVP will be closed from the 401 to the Gardiner, and the Gardiner will be closed from Carlaw Avenue to the Humber Bridge. Both highways are expected to close at 2 a.m. and re-open at 2 p.m. This closure is for the Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart.
- On Sunday, July 23rd, the eastbound lanes of the Gardiner will be closed from the Humber Bridge to Carlaw Avenue, and the northbound lanes of the DVP will be closed from the Gardiner to Eglinton Avenue. The affected lanes are expected to close at 2 a.m. and re-open at noon. This closure is for the Toronto Triathlon Festival.
Spend a lot of time in traffic? Spend less on your auto insurance.
Commuting every day to work does impact your auto insurance, but it’s actually the distance travelled, not the time spent in the car, that’s factored into your premiums. So while traffic congestion could make for long and unpleasant driving conditions at times—it won’t increase your rates, which is good news for drivers in Toronto as we head into the summer construction season.
