Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced Thursday morning that the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway will be transferred from the city to the province by the fall of 2027. This move is part of a new deal between the two governments aimed at making Toronto financially stable and sustainable.
Highway Transfer Details
Ford stated that these highways are critical for moving drivers and goods in downtown Toronto, handling nearly 300,000 drivers daily. The ownership transfer will free up city funds for other municipal investments, including fixing roads, bridges, sewers, parks, and community centres, as well as improving the TTC.
Until the transfer becomes official, the province will provide up to $353 million to Toronto to ensure continued operation and maintenance of the roadways. This funding is in addition to the $359 million Ontario provided in 2024 and 2025 for highway maintenance.
Financial Impact
Mayor Chow noted that the 2025 city budget reallocated $1.9 billion in capital funding from the Gardiner and DVP maintenance to other areas, including $500 million for TTC repairs, $400 million for parks and community centres, and $400 million for roads, bridges, and sidewalks.
Both leaders emphasized that the new deal sped up necessary repair work on the Gardiner, completed more than 18 months ahead of schedule after the province provided an additional $73 million in funding.
No Tolls or Demolition
Ford promised that under his leadership, the province will never toll the highways nor tear them down. He reiterated the government's commitment to investing in a $31-billion plan to build new roads, highways, and bridges across Ontario.
“When the province and the city work together, we can benefit both the people of Toronto and the people who visit our city for work or leisure,” Chow said. “A strong Toronto means a strong Ontario and a strong Canada.”
