Road closures in Toronto this weekend will make getting around a nightmare

While major summer events like the CNE and Air Show are now officially over, that doesn't mean traffic in Toronto will be ceasing anytime soon — in fact, this upcoming weekend might be particularly slow thanks to a long list of overlapping events that will bring the city to a standstill.

With the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) officially underway, as well as several street festivals and major highway closures, you can expect the city's streets to be packed this weekend. 

Here are all the major road closures in place in Toronto this weekend.

TIFF

Road closures will be in effect until 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, for the TIFF pop-up street festival, which features live music, screenings, and other programming.

Several streets will shut down to make way for the festival, including King Street West from University Avenue to Spadina Avenue, Simcoe Street from Wellington Street West to Adelaide Street West, Blue Jays Way from Wellington Street West to King Street West, as well as John Street will be closed between Wellington Street West and Adelaide Street West.  

Partial lane closures and parking restrictions will also be in effect around the Shangri-La Hotel, Scotiabank Theatre, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall. 

"TIFF is a major event on the City calendar that brings economic and cultural benefits with it. People travelling downtown can expect increased traffic and activity in the area throughout the festival period and road closures in effect during the Festival Street celebration running from September 10 to 14," said Andrew Posluns, Chief Congestion Officer and Executive Director of Strategic Capital Co-ordination.

"We are implementing a variety of congestion management strategies including signal timing changes, temporary signage, and Paid Duty Officers at key intersections to help residents and visitors move through the city as efficiently as possible during this time."

Also happening this weekend is the Taste of the Kingsway Festival, which will shut down Bloor Street West from Montgomery Road to Prince Edward Drive North from Friday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. until Sunday, Sept. 13 at 11:59 p.m.

Queens Park

If you’ll be around Queens Park this Saturday, you might want to set aside time for extra travel, as multiple roads in the area will be closed to make way for the Jesus in the City Parade. From 4 a.m. until 10 p.m., Queens Park Crescent East is set to shut down to all vehicular traffic between Bloor Street West and College Street. 

From 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m., other roads in the area will be blocked off, including Hoskin Avenue, which will be closed between Queens Park and Spadina Avenue, Spadina Avenue northbound lanes between Hoskin Avenue and Bloor Street West,  Bloor Street West between Spadina Avenue and Yonge Street, Yonge Street between Bloor Street West and Wellesley Street, as well as Wellesley Street West between Yonge Street and Queens Park Crescent East. 

Cabbagetown

Those near Cabbagetown should also consider alternate routes this weekend, as the Cabbagetown Festival will shut down Parliament Street from Wellesley Street East to Gerrard Street and Carlton Street from Parliament Street to Seaton Street from 6 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 until 11 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Gardiner Expressway

Last but not least, a list of closures will be in place throughout the Gardiner Expressway this weekend as the City proceeds with bridge rehabilitation. On Saturday, Sept. 12, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the westbound Gardiner will be reduced to three lanes from the Park Lawn Road on-ramp to Royal York Road and three lanes from Marine Parade Drive to the Park Lawn Road on-ramp.

The eastbound Gardiner will also be reduced to one lane from the Islington Avenue on-ramp to Royal York Road. To top it off, the Lake Shore Boulevard eastbound and westbound off-ramps will be reduced to one lane.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., just two closures will remain in place. The westbound Gardiner will once again be reduced to three lanes from the Park Lawn Road on-ramp to Royal York Road, and the Lake Shore Boulevard eastbound off-ramp will be reduced to one lane.

For a complete overview of the road closures in place this weekend, you can visit the City's website.