Major stretch of key Toronto highway will be shut down this weekend

If you're planning on checking off a few errands on your to-do list this weekend, you might want to set aside some extra time for your commute, as the City of Toronto has scheduled two upcoming weekend closures, including one in order to complete critical maintenance work. 

The Gardiner Expressway will be fully closed from the Humber River to Spadina Avenue from 11 p.m. on Friday, April 24, until 5 a.m. on Monday, April 27, reopening ahead of the morning rush hour. 

Crews will be working around the clock to repair cracks and potholes, inspect bridges and remove loose concrete, repaint lane markings, inspect lighting, clear catch basins to prevent flooding, and remove debris, weeds, litter, and graffiti. 

The City says the upcoming Gardiner Expressway closure will also allow workers to complete final paving of the eastbound lanes between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue as part of Toronto's long-term Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan.

Although major rehabilitation work in this stretch was completed 18 months ahead of schedule last year, the final paving could not be completed due to "scheduling conflicts during the Toronto Blue Jays' playoff run." 

The City also notes that the work is necessary to maintain expressway infrastructure, reduce future disruptions, and prepare for high-traffic events, including the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in June. 

Next month, the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) will also be fully closed from Highway 401 to the Jarvis Street ramp on the Gardiner Expressway from 11 p.m. on Friday, May 8, until 5 a.m. on Monday, May 11.

The DVP closure will help to advance two City projects, namely the Eastern Avenue bridge project and the Bayview-Bloor ramp. 

It's worth noting that both closures are weather-dependent and could be rescheduled in the event of rain or other inclement conditions.