Gardiner Expressway and DVP Upload Marks Major New Deal Milestone
TORONTO — The Ontario government has announced that ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway (DVP) will officially transfer from the City of Toronto to the province in fall 2027, marking a major milestone in the implementation of the New Deal for Toronto.
The move is intended to reduce financial pressure on the city while ensuring two of the Greater Toronto Area’s busiest transportation corridors remain toll-free, safe and in good repair.
To support the transition, Ontario will provide up to $353 million to the City of Toronto to continue operating and maintaining both highways until the transfer is complete. During the transition period, the province will also work with the city to align capital planning and maintenance activities with provincial highway standards.
Regional Highways Return to Provincial Control
The Gardiner Expressway and DVP serve as critical transportation links for commuters, commercial traffic and visitors travelling throughout the GTA. Provincial officials say the upload reflects the regional significance of the two routes and will help improve long-term transportation planning.
Premier Doug Ford said the transfer is part of the province’s broader effort to address congestion and support municipal priorities.
“Our government is investing $31 billion to build new roads, highways and bridges across the province to get drivers out of gridlock,” Ford said. “Uploading the Gardiner Expressway and DVP is part of our plan to tackle bumper-to-bumper traffic impacting drivers from across Ontario and support municipal investments in public transit, homes and other vital infrastructure residents are relying on.”
The Premier also reaffirmed that the province does not intend to toll either roadway.
Financial Relief for Toronto
Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the announcement, describing it as a significant step forward under the province’s New Deal agreement with Toronto.
“The upload of the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway is a major milestone in our new deal with the province and demonstrates what can be achieved when governments work together,” Chow said.
She noted that returning responsibility for the highways to the province will reduce costs borne by Toronto taxpayers and allow the city to focus resources on local roads, transit infrastructure, bridges and community priorities.
The upload has been under discussion since the provincial government and City of Toronto reached a broader financial agreement in November 2023 aimed at improving the city’s long-term fiscal sustainability.
Gardiner Repairs Completed Ahead of Schedule
Since the New Deal was announced, Ontario has provided more than $431 million to support maintenance and repairs on the Gardiner Expressway and DVP.
That funding included $73 million to accelerate rehabilitation work on the Gardiner Expressway. According to the province, the accelerated construction schedule resulted in repairs being completed more than 18 months ahead of the original timeline.
Provincial officials estimate the accelerated work generated approximately $273 million in economic benefits and reduced travel times for the roughly 140,000 drivers who use the Gardiner each day by as much as 22 minutes per trip.
Part of a Broader Transportation Strategy
The upload comes as Ontario continues to advance major transportation investments across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
The province is investing nearly $70 billion in transit expansion projects, including the Ontario Line, Scarborough Subway Extension, Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and Yonge North Subway Extension. Ontario is also investing $31 billion in highway, road and bridge infrastructure projects across the province.
Business and transportation organizations welcomed the announcement, noting that transferring responsibility for the highways to the province will allow Toronto to focus more resources on local transportation needs while leveraging Ontario’s expertise in managing major transportation corridors.
The transfer is expected to be completed in fall 2027, after which Ontario will assume full responsibility for the operation, maintenance and future capital planning of both highways.
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