More traffic headaches on Lake Shore: Construction restricting lanes between Strachan and Bathurst

Drivers have become frustrated over having to navigate around the various closures in and around Toronto, especially along Lake Shore Boulevard, and now another portion of that roadway is being effected.

Earlier on Monday, construction occupied a single lane on the Lake Shore eastbound between Strachan Avenue and Bathurst Street, and the left lane was also blocked on the westbound stretch.

Toronto Transportation initially told CityNews the work would be done by the end of the day.

However, in an update later in the day, officials said the closures would be in place until the end of Friday.

These latest closures on Lake Shore are added headaches for frustrated drivers who faced a long commute along the roadway between Yonge and Jarvis streets due to other construction.

The City previously advised drivers not to take Lakeshore Boulevard westbound, from Cherry to Yonge streets, as sections along that stretch were reduced to one lane for Enbridge Gas work.

Enbridge is replacing portions of a 4.5-kilometre gas pipeline along Lake Shore between Cherry Street and just west of Yonge Street.

Although the short 500-metre stretch between Yonge and Jarvis Streets takes seven minutes to walk, drivers reported being stuck there for up to three hours.

Construction finished at the end of last week and the lanes were reopened.

Other closures happening across Toronto

The nightmare on Lake Shore is just the latest in several restrictions drivers are already bogged down with in the city.

Richmond between Parliament and Sherbourne streets is reduced to two lanes, and the dedicated bike lane is closed, as  crews replace an almost 150-year-old watermain and upgrade other water services along the that stretch.

Construction recently started on Adelaide, which has that route down to a single lane in sections between Spadina Avenue and Bay Street. The work, which is expected to be completed in spring 2023, is taking place ahead of the Ontario Line subway construction.

College Street is also undergoing a major overhaul, with full and partial closures of the road between Bathurst and Bay streets. City of Toronto officials said the project is expected to be done by the end of the year.

Also, Bloor is impacted by long-term construction, which is already behind schedule, between Parliament and Sherbourne streets.

Meanwhile, road closures are also expected on Thursday for Toronto Argonauts championship rally between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday, and given the ongoing construction, fans are encouraged to take the TTC or GO to the square. Toronto police and/or the City haven’t detailed those closures yet.

With files from CityNews staff Meredith Bond, Lucas Casaletto, Kyle Hocking, Jordan Kerr, and Tina Yazdani