More closures will add to headaches on Gardiner Expressway in Toronto

The rehabilitation work that has been significantly worsening traffic on Toronto's Gardiner Expressway for over a year now may be running ahead of schedule, but the coming months are still set to be full of headaches for motorists in the area, thanks to it and other large-scale construction projects.

One of these projects is the Ontario Line, for which brand new subway stations and tunnels are in various stages of progress all across the city. This also includes work around the Don Valley Parkway and, yes, the Gardiner Expressway — and we're just getting an idea of what kinds of traffic impediments will be necessary as the 15.6 km-long route is built.

The City's Executive is considering a slew of forthcoming closures on both of the aforementioned arteries, which the general manager of transportation services is requesting the authority to oversee.

The closures are specifically for the construction of the line's Lower Don Bridge and Minton Place Portal, where trains will pop out and traverse over some enormous new bridges that will take them across the bustling lanes of traffic below.

While the temporary road closures will be limited to certain segments of the roadways, as well as certain lanes and certain dates and hours, they are set to take place periodically well into 2027.

Gardiner Expressway traffic in Toronto has surged by up to 250% due to closures https://t.co/gzo8n67UeH

— blogTO (@blogTO) June 6, 2024

The terribly lengthy list, contained in Tuesday's motion, is as follows, focusing on the area around the DVP-Gardiner offramp and extending north or west:

For the Ontario Line Minton Place Portal

• The northbound middle and outside lanes and adjacent pavement shoulder on the Don Valley Parkway, between 600 metres south of Beechwood Drive and 350 metres north of Leaside Bridge, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including twenty nights between May 31, 2025, and September 30, 2025, inclusive

• The southbound inside lane and adjacent pavement shoulder on the Don Valley Parkway, between 350 metres north of Gerrard Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including seven nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The southbound middle lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between 165 metres south of Gerrard Steet and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including seven nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The southbound outside lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between 30 metres north of Queen Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including seven nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The eastbound inside lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 90 metres west of Rees Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including four nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The eastbound middle lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 80 metres east of Lower Simcoe Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including four nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive

• The eastbound outside lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 110 metres west of Bay Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including four nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway east off-ramp, between the F.G. Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including four nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The Don Valley Parkway northbound, all lanes, between the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp and 100 metres south of Eastern Avenue, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including four nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The Bay Street-F.G. Gardiner Expressway eastbound on-ramp, between Bay Street and the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including four nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

• The Rees Street-F.G. Gardiner Expressway eastbound on-ramp, between Rees Street and the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including four nights between May 26, 2025 and June 28, 2025, inclusive.

Gardiner Expressway construction faces new hiccup with upcoming lawsuit https://t.co/fLecUvjKHq

— blogTO (@blogTO) February 17, 2025

For the Ontario Line Lower Don Bridge

•  The southbound inside lane and adjacent pavement shoulder on the Don Valley Parkway, between 350 metres north of Gerrard Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The southbound middle lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between 165 metres south of Gerrard Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The southbound outside lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between 30 metres north of Queen Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The eastbound inside lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 90 metres west of Rees Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive;

• The eastbound middle lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 80 metres east of Lower Simcoe Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The eastbound outside lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 110 metres west of Bay Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, between the F.G. Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The Don Valley Parkway northbound, all lanes, between the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp and 100 metres south of Eastern Avenue, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The Bay Street-F.G. Gardiner Expressway eastbound on-ramp, between Bay Street and the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025 and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The Rees Street- F.G. Gardiner Expressway eastbound on-ramp, between Rees Street and the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including five nights between September 22, 2025, and October 24, 2025, inclusive, and for up to and including eight nights between December 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between June 1, 2027, and June 30, 2027, inclusive.

• The southbound inside lane and adjacent pavement shoulder on the Don Valley Parkway, between 350 metres north of Gerrard Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The southbound middle lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between 165 metres south of Gerrard Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The southbound outside lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between 30 metres north of Queen Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The eastbound inside lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 90 metres west of Rees Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The eastbound middle lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 80 metres east of Lower Simcoe Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The eastbound outside lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between 110 metres west of Bay Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, between the F.G. Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The Don Valley Parkway northbound, all lanes, between the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp and 100 metres south of Eastern Avenue, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The Bay Street-F.G. Gardiner Expressway eastbound on-ramp, between Bay Street and the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The Rees Street- F.G. Gardiner Expressway eastbound on-ramp, between Rees Street and the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, from 11:00 p.m. of one Friday to 5:00 a.m. on the following Monday for one weekend between January 15, 2026 and February 16, 2026, inclusive.

• The eastbound inside lane on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between Parliament Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from, 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The east-to-northbound inside lane on the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, between the F.G. Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The northbound inside lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp and 100 metres south of Eastern Avenue, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The southbound inside lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between Dundas Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The south-to-westbound inside lane on the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, between the Don Valley Parkway and 150 metres south, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The southbound outside lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between 50 metres north of Eastern Avenue and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The south-to-westbound outside lane on the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway on-ramp, between the Don Valley Parkway and 150 metres south, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The eastbound outside lane on F.G. Gardiner Expressway, between Parliament Street and the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The east-to-northbound outside lane on the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp, between the F.G. Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The northbound middle lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp and 200 metres south of Eastern Avenue, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

• The northbound outside lane on the Don Valley Parkway, between the Don Valley Parkway-F.G. Gardiner Expressway off-ramp and 100 metres south of Eastern Avenue, from 11:00 p.m. of one day to 5:00 a.m. on the following day for up to and including two nights between August 1, 2026 and August 31, 2026, inclusive, and for up to and including two nights between November 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026, inclusive.

There will also be closures of the Don Roadway, which shouldn't have much impact on traffic. But, given that so many of the above are taking place along what is already known as Toronto's most gridlocked and construction-plagued thoroughfare, and with surrounding roads also regularly clogged up, drivers are certainly in for a treat.

Thankfully, though, the fact that the closures are limited to overnight hours means the work won't muck up people's already arduous rush hour commutes, as numerous, sporadic and cumulatively lengthy as the traffic changes may be.