Province Commits Up to $353 Million to Support Transition from City of Toronto
Move forms part of Ontario’s broader New Deal for Toronto aimed at reducing congestion and supporting municipal infrastructure
TORONTO — The Ontario government will officially assume ownership and maintenance responsibility for Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway (DVP) in fall 2027, marking a significant milestone in the province’s broader infrastructure and transportation strategy under the New Deal for Toronto.
The provincial government announced June 4 that it will provide up to $353 million to the City of Toronto to support the continued operation and maintenance of the two major expressways until the transfer is completed. The move is intended to reduce financial pressures on the city while ensuring the highways remain toll-free and aligned with provincial transportation standards.
The Gardiner Expressway and DVP are among the busiest transportation corridors in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), carrying hundreds of thousands of commuters and commercial vehicles each day. Provincial officials say bringing the highways under Ontario’s control will help streamline maintenance, improve long-term planning and reduce gridlock affecting regional economic activity.
“Our government is investing $31 billion to build new roads, highways and bridges across the province to get drivers out of gridlock,” said Premier Doug Ford. “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. We will never toll these highways, and we will never tear them down.”
Financial Relief for Toronto
The upload agreement forms part of the New Deal for Toronto established in November 2023 between the province and the city. The agreement was designed to help stabilize Toronto’s long-term finances while advancing shared priorities including housing, public transit and infrastructure renewal.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said the transfer would allow the city to redirect resources toward local infrastructure needs.
“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,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “Returning these regional highways to provincial responsibility will reduce the financial burden on Toronto taxpayers and allow the city to focus more of its resources on the roads, transit, bridges and community infrastructure that residents rely on every day.”
Since the New Deal was first announced, Ontario says it has committed more than $431 million toward maintaining and repairing the Gardiner and DVP. That figure includes $73 million used to accelerate rehabilitation work on the Gardiner Expressway.
According to the province, those accelerated repairs were completed more than 18 months ahead of schedule, generating an estimated $273 million in economic savings for Ontario. The government also said the work has reduced commute times by up to 22 minutes per trip for approximately 140,000 daily Gardiner users.
Province Emphasizes Long-Term Transportation Strategy
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the upload reflects the province’s long-term focus on regional mobility and infrastructure investment.
“Our government is making historic investments in highway infrastructure to fight gridlock and keep people and goods moving across Ontario,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “By taking ownership of the Gardiner Expressway and DVP, we are keeping these vital highways toll-free for the long term and helping the more than 140,000 drivers who rely on the Gardiner every day get where they need to go safely and reliably.”
During the transition period, Ontario will work with the City of Toronto on capital planning and operational decisions to ensure future repairs and upgrades meet provincial standards.
The province characterized both highways as nationally significant transportation corridors that support domestic and international trade, tourism and broader economic activity throughout the GTA.
Business Groups Welcome the Decision
Industry and business organizations also welcomed the announcement, arguing the upload will improve transportation reliability and free municipal resources for other infrastructure priorities.
“The Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway are vital regional transportation links. Finalizing the timeline for transferring responsibility of these highways is an important milestone. It will free up much-needed municipal resources for maintenance and repair of city streets, transit and other local transportation infrastructure.”
- Giles Gherson
President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
“The Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway are critical transportation arteries supporting Canada’s largest city and regional economy. Uploading these highways leverages Ontario’s expertise in managing and maintaining major highway infrastructure, while allowing Toronto to redirect resources toward much-needed state-of-good-repair investments across the local road network. This means a safer, more reliable transportation network for residents and visitors alike.”
- Raly Chakarova
Executive Director, Toronto and Area Road Builders Association
Broader Infrastructure Investments Continue
The announcement comes as Ontario continues to pursue major transportation and highway expansion projects across the province. The government says it is investing nearly $70 billion in transit infrastructure, including projects such as the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension.
In addition, Ontario says it is investing $31 billion to build, repair and expand highways, roads and bridges provincewide as part of its strategy to address congestion and support economic growth.