Taylor Swift shows: Toronto trying ‘everything’ to ease Gardiner delays, Chow says

Toronto is doing 'everything' it can to mitigate the disruptions caused by major rehabilitation work on the Gardiner Expressway, Mayor Olivia Chow says.

Toronto is doing “everything” it can to mitigate the disruptions caused by major rehabilitation work on the Gardiner Expressway, Mayor Olivia Chow says.

Chow spoke to reporters at city hall on Wednesday before the start of this month’s city council meeting, where several topics will be discussed, including a member’s motion from Beaches – East York Coun. Brad Bradford on looking at ways to speed up the work.

She was asked about the disruptions and their impact not only on residents, but also on the city’s economy given the expected boon from music superstar Taylor Swift in November.

“We have to rebuild the Gardiner. There’s nothing we can do about it,” she said of the more than 60-year-old expressway.

“We are doing everything we can to mitigate the disturbances caused by the Gardiner being rebuilt.”

Last month, parts of the city’s main east-west expressway were reduced by one lane in each direction between Strachan Avenue and Dufferin Street for “critical rehabilitation work.”

Those closures will be in place for the next three years, and will only lift temporarily in 2026 for another major economic event: the FIFA World Cup.

Despite calls for the Gardiner to reopen during Swift’s shows, the city said that wouldn’t be possible given that the closed lanes are being demolished and rebuilt.