It's going to be a total nightmare getting anywhere in Toronto this weekend

Road and transit closures in Toronto this weekend include disruptions on multiple rail routes, several major streets shut down to accommodate festivals, and even a pair of highways closed for a triathlon.

If you plan on going anywhere in or around Toronto, you'll have to contend with traffic, congested public transit, and frustrating detours in just about every corner of the Greater Toronto Area.

So, for those looking to make the most of the weekend ahead, consider this your guide to getting around.

Transit disruptions

Over 200 kilometres of GO and UP Express track will be out of commission this weekend, complicating travel plans for anyone commuting in or out of the city for major events.

GO Barrie Line

The entire Barrie Line will be out of service on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, due to planned construction, with GO buses replacing trains between Allandale Waterfront and Rutherford GO, then running direct between Rutherford GO and Highway 407 Bus Terminal, where commuters can continue their trips into the city centre via the TTC's Line 1.

GO Kitchener Line

Construction along the Kitchener Line will force a partial closure between Stratford or Kitchener (depending on route schedules) and Mount Pleasant GO stations on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26.

UP Express

The entire 23.3-kilometre run of the UP Express will be shut down on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 due to planned construction along the route. 

Replacement buses will operate between Union Station Bus Terminal and Pearson Airport Terminal 1 for the full day on Saturday, July 25. On Sunday, July 26, buses run between Pearson and Union from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., before full route coverage pauses to accommodate a planned Gardiner Expressway closure. After 2 p.m. on Sunday, replacement buses will travel directly between Union and Pearson.

GO Lakeshore West Line

Expect slower service on this busy route for the weekend of July 25-26, with trains to run at 30-minute intervals.

Road and highway closures

Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway

These two Toronto highways will shut down from 2 a.m. to noon on Sunday, July 26 to accommodate Supertri Toronto (formerly known as the Toronto Triathlon Festival).

The eastbound lanes of the Gardiner from the Humber River to the Don Valley Parkway, and the northbound lanes of the Gardiner Expressway to Eglinton Avenue East will be closed throughout the event.

Ossington Avenue

Ossington Avenue from Dundas West to Queen West will shut down for OssFest from 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 25 to 4 a.m. on Sunday, July 26.

Queen Street East

This arterial will be closed from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, between Woodbine and Beech Avenues for the Beaches International Jazz Street Festival. 

Eglinton Avenue West

Eglinton Avenue West, between Avenue and Russel Hill Roads, will shut down to traffic from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, for the Dream Wheels on Eglinton Car Show. Despite the closure, there will be no shortage of horsepower on display.

Spadina Avenue

The busy stretch of Spadina between Sullivan and St. Andrew Streets will partially close for the Toronto Chinatown Festival from midnight on Saturday, July 25 to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. Southbound lanes on the west side of Spadina Avenue between Sullivan and St. Andrew Streets will be closed, while northbound lanes on Spadina and the eastbound and westbound lanes on Dundas will remain open. 

No matter your mode of transit, it's shaping up to be a rough weekend to get around town!