Gardiner projects mean a slow drive into downtown Toronto this summer

Sunday, April 27, 2014, 1:59 PM -

If you're planning on commuting to downtown Toronto this summer, you'll be in for a long drive

The city began work on three major construction projects along the Gardiner Expressway, shutting down the highway for the weekend.

Though the expressway reopened in the late morning Sunday, the westbound on-ramp from Windermere Avenue will remain closed until Tuesday, and commuters can expect even more delays in the coming months.

The City of Toronto will be replacing a section of the elevated portion between the Exhibition Grounds and Strachan Avenue. One lane of traffic will be closed in each direction during the project, with work to continue until the end of 2016 -- with a brief break for the Pan Am games next August.

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Crews will also be performing long-term maintenance on three bridges between the Humber River and Park Lawn. One eastbound lane will be closed during this project, which is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.

Replacements on the median between Ellis and Dufferin will also be happening -- resulting in a blocked lane in both directions until August.

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong said earlier this year the planned road work "is part of the City's Strategic Rehabilitation program to bring the city's infrastructure to a state of good repair and improve the quality of the Gardiner Expressway."

Needless to say, there will be a major impact to traffic during construction. The City says is is trying to minimize disruptions, but recommends motorists consider alternate routes, public transit, or carpooling.