Toronto's Gardiner Expressway officially reopens 18 months ahead of schedule

Monday morning's commute for drivers in Toronto was, for once, a breeze thanks to the reopening of all six lanes on the Gardiner Expressway between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, which occurred approximately 18 months ahead of the original construction timeline.

The long-awaited reopening happened on Monday morning just before rush hour, following a weekend closure that began after the conclusion of Game 2 of the World Series hosted at the Rogers Centre on Saturday night.

Originally anticipated to finish in April 2027, the Gardiner's construction between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue was revealed to be way ahead of schedule earlier this year. Back in September, city manager Paul Johnson confirmed that construction on the portion of the 60-year-old would potentially wrap up by the end of 2025, months ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The accelerated timeline was thanks to an investment of $73 million from the Ontario government, which permitted round-the-clock work and provided additional equipment.

All six lanes of the Gardiner between Dufferin and Strachan are open this morning.

Thank you to the crews working 24/7 and to all residents for your patience. pic.twitter.com/ecrFVdPtWO

— Mayor Olivia Chow 🇨🇦 (@MayorOliviaChow) October 27, 2025

Between Saturday night and Monday morning, a full closure of the Gardiner took place between Spadina Avenue to Highway 427, to the frustration of many drivers, who were forced to endure bumper-to-bumper traffic amid their weekend plans. The closure was necessary for maintenance and final preparatory work, including repairs, as crews worked to reopen all six lanes on the expressway.

A second weekend closure of the Gardiner, between Spadina Avenue and Highway 427, is currently tentatively scheduled for Saturday night (Nov. 1), dependent on the Blue Jays' schedule, and if the team makes it to Game 7 of the series, which (along with Game 6) would take place at the Rogers Centre.

If the Jays secure the Commissioner's Trophy before Game 7, the expressway will shut down on Saturday night. All six lanes will then reopen by 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, just before rush hour traffic.

Although the Gardiner's construction timeline moved up significantly, its short-term impacts on traffic were widely felt. According to an analysis by Geotab ITS this year, some sections of the expressway saw delays of up to 230 per cent during peak hours. Travel times between Humber River and Strachan Avenue also tripled, rising from 8 minutes to 24 minutes.