Please see information below from the City regarding the demolition of the York St. ramp, which is scheduled for April 17 to June 30, 2017:
“The City of Toronto is replacing the ramp from the eastbound Gardiner Expressway to York, Bay and Yonge Streets with a shorter ramp to Lower Simcoe Street and widening Harbour Street from Lower Simcoe Street to Bay Street to improve pedestrian and cycling access to the waterfront. Mayor John Tory made this announcement this morning at the park space by the York Street exit ramp which will be redesigned through this construction.
“Like the rest of the Gardiner, the ramp was built over 50 years ago, is in poor condition and nearing the end of its service life. We need to redesign it to address today’s traffic demands,” said Mayor John Tory. “The demolition of the old ramp will also give both residents and visitors better access to one of our greatest physical spaces, Lake Ontario, as well as more park space in the community.”
The ramp will close to traffic on April 17 and construction will continue until January 2018. During the construction work, motorists will still have full access to downtown by exiting the eastbound Gardiner Expressway at the Jameson Avenue, Spadina Avenue and Jarvis Street ramps. In addition, motorists will be able to access eastbound Lake Shore Boulevard from the eastbound Gardiner Expressway ramp at Spadina Avenue.
To maintain traffic flow in the area, traffic signal timing on alternative routes will be adjusted to minimize congestion and enhanced signage will be installed to advise motorists of the ongoing work.
Work on the project will take place Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be some times when overnight work will be required. Speeding up public sector construction projects to reduce the duration of construction and get projects completed faster is part of the Mayor’s congestion management plan.
This work is taking place following an environmental assessment in 2013 that recommended the reconfiguration of the ramps in the area.”
The BIA will provide updates, route alternatives and other details as they become available.