By Alex Drobin
Toronto Mayor John Tory announced today more money to get the Gardiner expressway moving faster sooner.
Tory told reporters that city council has approved an additional $3.4 million to complete construction on the Gardiner three months ahead of schedule.
The stretch from Spadina to Jameson is down to two lanes in both directions because of the construction.
Tory said that narrowing the highway by two lanes costs the city roughly $1 million per day due to lack of productivity and increased congestion.
“You make the investment and you get the job done faster so that people can do business, productivity can be restored and we don’t have this huge cost to the economy,” said Tory.
The strategic position of the Gardiner makes it one of the most important routes in Canada, as it connects Toronto’s downtown core to major highways east and west of the city.
The news was welcomed by some business owners.
“If they manage to get the repairs done fully, it’ll ease congestion, and overall, it will help speed along the movement of people and products across Toronto,” said David Amar, President of Shift Marketing.
Amar said an improved expressway will make it easier for employees to get to and from work as well.
According to the city’s F.G. Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan Procurement Strategy, Toronto’s economic efficiency is heavily influenced by the state of the Gardiner.
It states, “…hindering congestion in the Toronto region should be a priority for all levels of government given the Toronto area’s importance to Canada’s broader economy.”
Third year Humber Business Administration student David Montero said he’ll be surprised if the city completes construction on time.
“If they actually complete it, I’ll be shocked but I’ll be happy,” said Montero. “It would be a relief and will look good on Mayor Tory.”
This is the second time in less than a year that Tory has approved additional cost to ease construction.