Lanes on the Gardiner Expressway will be reduced for 3 years starting tonight. How does this affect your itinerary?

Starting tonight and for the next three years, Toronto's Gardiner Expressway will be reduced to two lanes in both directions on the downtown section of the freeway for a three-year rehabilitation project.

In addition to the one eastbound lane closed Monday, one westbound lane will be closed at 11 p.m., weather permitting. The lane reduction is expected to remain in place until at least mid-2027.

It's all part of what the city calls “significant construction work” on the 60-year-old highway. Construction from Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue marks the second phase of a six-phase regeneration project. Work on the first lane from Jarvis Street to Cherry Street will be completed in 2021.

Crews will work Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to complete the $300 million project, which will include replacing 700 meters of concrete deck and girders, restoring the associated substructure and installing new street lighting.

Sometimes, the city says, there will be “continuous” overnight closures of the second eastbound or westbound lane. The freeway will also be closed east of Lake Shore Boulevard east of Jason.

During construction, the city says it will implement a plan to manage congestion on the affected highway, which carries about 200,000 vehicles a day.

Thursday's closure is based on preliminary construction that began March 25 and closed one lane.

Officials said the highway will reopen briefly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup when the city hosts several matches.

If you have been affected by construction or think you may be, CTV News Toronto wants to hear from you.

Have you experienced bad traffic on this stretch of highway due to lane closures? Have you had to change your commute, or should you? Are you worried about bad traffic?

Share your story by emailing [email protected] with your name, general location and phone number. Your comments may be used in a CTV News Toronto story.

CP24 with files from Joshua Freeman