CLOSURE: Gardiner Expressway closes for 35 hours this weekend in Toronto

Those with weekend plans in Toronto may want to consider transit — the Gardiner Expressway closes for 35 hours.

The Gardiner Expressway will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday until 10 a.m. on Sunday for maintenance and repairs, the City of Toronto posted on Facebook.

The highway needs “critical rehabilitation” work as the more than 60-year-old route is reaching its end of service life, the city announced earlier this year. Initially, the work was expected to take three years but after months of gridlock traffic, the Ontario government stepped in with funds to accelerate construction by at least one year.

This lengthy weekend closure aims to reduce overnight closures in the long run.

“This one-time, 35-hour closure lets us do the work of over 30 overnight lane closures all at once, which means less hassle for drivers and saves money,” the City of Toronto said in the post.

During this closure, crews will resurface lanes, fix cracks and potholes, replace guide rails and remove loose concrete from the underside of the highway.

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Crews will also inspect and fix signs and lights, clear catch basins to prevent flooding, and clean up debris and graffiti. Repairs will also be done on the Dufferin Street Bridge.

The York on-ramp will also be closed and reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday.

For more information, see the City of Toronto website here.