Emergency repairs to Gardiner Expressway causing major headaches
Posted January 12, 2023 1:16 pm.
Last Updated January 12, 2023 1:31 pm.
Traffic into downtown on the eastbound Gardiner Expressway has been even worse than usual over the past week as maintenance crews continue to work on emergency repairs.
In an email to CityNews, the City of Toronto said a cover plate on one of the expansion joints at the bridge over the Humber River near the South Kingsway broke late last week.
Since then, crews have been forced to keep the right lane closed to facilitate repair work.
EMERGENCY ROADWORK
EB Gardiner at Humber Bridge the right lane is blocked for reports of a cracked bridge joint. @TO_MainRoads is uncertain when this will wrap up.
Expect big delays heading towards downtown today! pic.twitter.com/wsiMvWVwbK
— 680 NewsRadio Toronto Traffic & Weather (@NewsRadioTO) January 7, 2023
The Lake Shore Boulevard ramp to the eastbound Gardiner east of Park Lawn has also been shut down as part of this maintenance.
During peak periods, traffic backups have stretched all the way back to Highway 427 and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) as the work only adds to delays on an already heavily-traveled expressway.
As for when the repairs may be completed, the City was not able to provide a concrete timeline.
“Crews are working diligently and will reopen the closed lanes as soon as possible” the City said.
The City is currently undertaking a major rehabilitation of the entire span of the aging expressway which is scheduled to be completed in 2030.
