It might seem hard to fathom that Toronto streets could get even more clogged, well don’t look now summer construction season is here and the city’s released a massive list of projects sure to send residents scurrying to the bike lanes.
Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie announced the city of Toronto’s ambitious construction agenda for 2023, a slate of projects totalling over $1.14 billion. These efforts will span across a variety of sectors, including roads, bridges, expressways, TTC tracks, sewers, and water mains.
This year, Toronto will invest approximately $426 million into revamping and enhancing transportation infrastructure. This budget includes a $156 million allocation towards bridges, culverts, and other infrastructure in the municipal right-of-way, $65 million for major roads, and $72 million for local roads. An additional $68 million will go towards expressways, including the F.G. Gardiner Strategic Rehabilitation. The city will invest $42 million on sidewalks and cycling infrastructure and $23 million on Vision Zero infrastructure and the Road Safety Plan. Furthermore, approximately $4.6 million has been budgeted for a comprehensive pothole repair program.
Water infrastructure is another primary focus, with approximately $713 million approved for investment. This includes $278 million on watermain and water services, $117 million on local sewer replacement, and $225 million on basement flooding protection. The budget also earmarks $93 million for storm water management projects, including the Don River and Central Waterfront.
Here is the full list of construction projects to get underway over the next few months:
• 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
Add these projects to the massive works already underway at key stretches in the city such as the intersection of Yonge and Queen and the ongoing bizarro world of the Crosstown LRT, as well as the dozens and dozens of condo construction projects and it’s going to be a long, hot summer for those who rely on vehicles.
According to the city, residents are encouraged to plan travel in advance, consider alternate routes, and prepare for possible changes in street parking. Further, they are urged to obey signage around work zones and exercise patience during city-wide construction. To aid in managing congestion, the city has initiated a congestion management strategy, deploying Traffic Agents to key intersections during peak traffic periods to improve the flow of traffic and pedestrian safety.
“The City of Toronto is committed to renewing and upgrading our infrastructure and we are investing more than $1.14 billion this year in these vital projects. We appreciate your patience while we deliver this important and necessary work,” said McKelvie.
