Speakers Corner: $1.25B project causing headaches for east end drivers

In Toronto’s east end, a major development project is causing some major headaches for drivers. Many of them are speaking out, wondering if any relief is in sight.

“It’s getting pretty bad,” said Matthew Karpf, who drives in the area often.

A large portion of Lake Shore Blvd., from Cherry Street to Logan Avenue, is littered with potholes.

The area is especially bad on the roadway that was once covered by the now demolished Logan Avenue ramp of the Gardiner Expressway.

“You expect potholes in the winter but this is ridiculous,” Mike Makinano said. “It feels like my vehicle will bottom out, so it’s pretty bad.”

There have also been road and lane closures and a heavy stream of big construction trucks.

“It’s not just the potholes. The traffic jams here can be pretty epic,” said another driver, Nishantha Vilathgamuwa.

“It’s a bit of a nightmare, especially with the lane closures and the Gardiner ramp being closed down here,” Karpf added.

It’s all near a massive $1.25 billion construction zone, just south of Lake Shore Blvd. The Port Lands flood protection project is an historic one. Crews are creating an entire river valley—with bridges, public spaces—and room for more development here.

But with that, comes some headaches.

“I am not against the project and I do know it’s needed but we just need some relief.”

CityNews reached out to both Waterfront Toronto and Councillor Joe Cressy’s office. He represents the Spadina-Fort York ward.

“My office has contacted City staff to report concerns regarding potholes on Lake Shore Boulevard between Parliament Street and Cherry Street,” Cressy said.

A spokesperson for Waterfront Toronto also told CityNews that “construction crews on site and city crews will continue working to address any issues on the road.”

Once complete, you can expect this portion of Lake Shore to be completely repaved too.

“It will get a full makeover to help pedestrians, cyclists and drivers move safer and faster,” a spokesperson for Waterfront Toronto said.

“Removing the Logan ramps and widening the Lake Shore bridge as part of our work now means minimal traffic disruption in the future. It will also mean new public spaces and cycling connections years ahead of schedule, allowing us to cut construction time from six years to three.”

The project has a completion date of 2024.

“It is what it is. You just have to carry on in a growing city like Toronto,” Makinano said. “But at the end of the day a lot of people want to see some relief soon.”

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