TORONTO – Drivers should prepare for a busy construction season as the city announces that over 100 kilometres of roads will be resurfaced in 2013.
The announcement was made at a press conference on Kingston Road in Scarborough where construction crews could be seen doing some of the announced reconstruction.
“City crews have already been out working on our roads,” Mayor Rob Ford said. “They have filled over 200,000 pot holes and I want to thank them for their hard work.”
The city is spending more than $155 million to improve roads throughout the city.
Some of the major road work planned for 2013 will see construction Albion Road, Keele Street, Leslie Street, Wilson Avenue and Kingston Road.
Councillor Gary Crawford, whose ward includes Kingston Road, said the revitalization of Kingston Road will help rehabilitate the surrounding neighbourhoods.
“I cannot think of a more fitting location than on Kingston Road… to announce the city’s plans for road reconstruction in 2013,” Crawford said.
An additional $60 million will be spent by the city to improve watermains, sewers, boulevards and parks around Toronto’s roads.
“Revitalization in Toronto’s neighbourhoods makes for a more livable community,” Crawford said.
The city is also spending upwards of $17 million in 2013 to rehabilitate sections of the Gardiner Expressway.
Approximately $500 million over the next 9 years has been budgeted by the city to repair the Gardiner Expressway.
Along with the marathons and festivals, construction can add to congestion around Toronto during the spring and summer months.
Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong suggested temporary traffic problems are an unfortunate necessity.
“We sympathize with motorists as they travel the city but the work is absolutely essential,” Minnan-Wong said. “Keeping this vital infrastructure in good shape is important to the economic well being of our city.”
The city of Toronto recently launched a website that details all of the coming road construction projects.
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