Gardiner Expressway closed this weekend for fall maintenance

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  September 12, 2012

Gardiner Expressway closed this weekend for fall maintenance

The City of Toronto's Transportation Services Division will be performing maintenance activities on the Gardiner Expressway this weekend. A full closure of the expressway is required to ensure the  work can be performed safely.

The expressway will be closed in both directions from Carlaw Avenue to the Humber River from 2 a.m. on Saturday, September 15 to 5 a.m. on Monday, September 17.

"The Gardiner Expressway is a key component of our transportation system in Toronto and this maintenance work is necessary to keep the roadway in a state of good repair," said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 34 Don Valley East), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

Specific activities that will be undertaken during this closure include:

Ø  catchbasin cleaning to ensure proper drainage at about 800 locations

Ø  pavement markings involving a total of about 1,100 square metres of pavement

Ø  maintenance of five static signs

Ø  maintenance of closed-circuit television involving six traffic cameras

Ø  inspection of 19 overhead signs

Ø  repair of RESCU (traffic management system) vehicle detectors at four locations
guide rail repair for a total length of about 700 metres

Ø  sweeping operations and litter removal

Ø  site investigation for two proposed variable messages signs

Ø  structural inspections at eight locations of the elevated portions of the expressway

Ø  structural rehabilitation work on the expressway from York Street to Jarvis Street

Ø  replacement of nine light poles

Motorists can use Lake Shore Boulevard, The Queensway, Richmond Street, Adelaide Street, King Street and Queen Street as alternative routes during the closure. Motorists should be aware that two lanes of Richmond Street will be used for film production west of University Avenue from 7 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday, September 16. 

Whenever possible, the public is encouraged to consider using public transit as a convenient alternative.

A more complete list of road work and events is available at http://www.toronto.ca/torontostreets/.

In addition, the City recently introduced T.O. INview, a map of information about planned capital construction work taking place across the city. The site can be accessed at http://www.toronto.ca/inview.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Media contact: Steve Johnston, Senior Communications Coordinator, 416-392-4391, sjohnsto@toronto.ca