Toronto kicks off construction season, outlines more than $1 billion in major projects

Toronto’s deputy mayor officially launched the city’s construction season on Tuesday, announcing more than $1 billion in planned work that drivers will have to contend with during the busy season.

The city has unveiled a slew of projects to be completed in the coming months. The work will include a $426 million investment in transportation infrastructure and a $713 million in water infrastructure. .

“We all know the saying, there are two seasons in Toronto, winter and construction, and the snow is gone,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, as she kicked off the season near a construction site in North York on Tuesday morning.

In addition to the investment for larger infrastructure projects, the city has budgeted approximately $4.6 million in its pothole repair program.

The city currently has more than a $1 billion hole in its budget as a result of shortfalls stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. If more money doesn’t come through from the province or the federal government than McKelvie says there could be tough decisions moving forward.

“I’m confident we can get through this year’s construction season with the funding available,” McKelvie says. “Next year’s projects are very, very much at risk.”

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The city is advising residents to plan their travel in advance and consider alternate routes. People are also being advised that street parking could be impacted during construction season.

“Obey signage around work zones and be patient while traveling in and around work zones throughout the city,” reads a release from city staff.

Major construction projects planned this year:

• Coxwell Avenue and Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road streetcar track replacement and watermain replacement
• Broadview Avenue from Gerrard Street East to Danforth Avenue watermain rehabilitation and streetcar track replacement
• Bloor Street West from Avenue Road to Spadina Avenue Road reconstruction, pedestrian safety improvements, permanent raised cycle tracks and intersection improvements
• Adelaide Street from York Street to Victoria Street streetcar track installation
• University Avenue from Queen Street West to College Street watermain replacement and road resurfacing
• Ossington Avenue from Queen Street West to Argyle Street Road resurfacing
• The Queensway from South Kingsway to Ellis Avenue sewer replacement and forcemain renewal
• Bloor Street West over Elmcrest Creek bridge rehabilitation
• Fairbank Memorial Park to Black Creek and various local streets Fairbank Silverthorn tunnel and storm sewers for basement flooding protection
• Rowanwood Avenue, Thornwood Road, Chestnut Park and Roxborough Street replacement of a 100-year-old watermain
• O’Connor Drive from Glenwood Crescent to Bermondsey Road sewer upgrades, new public plaza and green infrastructure improvements
• Martin Grove Road from Rexdale Boulevard to Westhumber Boulevard watermain replacement
• Fenmar Drive from Steeles Avenue West to Weston Road and Kemar Drive from Fenmar Drive to Weston Road watermain rehabilitation
• Keele Street from Steeles Avenue West to Sheppard Avenue West watermain replacement
• Bathurst Manor area including Sheppard Avenue West and Bathurst Street sewer and watermain
• Westgate Avenue and other local streets sewer and watermain upgrades and road resurfacing
• Bathurst Street south of York Downs and other local streets sewer and watermain upgrades
• Victoria Park and Sheppard Avenue East sewer and watermain upgrades
• Allen Road under Lawrence Street West bridge rehabilitation
• Albion Road Bridge, over Humber River bridge rehabilitation
• Jane Street north of Wilson Road upgrading the storm and sanitary sewers
• Bayview Avenue from Lawrence Avenue East to Eglinton Avenue East Road resurfacing and watermain replacement
• Martin Grove Road from Rexdale Boulevard to West Humber Trail watermain replacement
• McCowan Road Bridge over West Highland Creek bridge rehabilitation