Toronto officials warn of ‘disruptive’ 2017 construction season

Toronto is getting a spring jump to the busy construction season as city officials take aim at the road work and infrastructure projects forthcoming in the months ahead.

Toronto city councillor and public works chair Jaye Robinson said $700 million is being invested this year to fix 100-year-old watermains, crumbling bridges, roadways and streetcar tracks.

“Maintaining our infrastructure is essential to the livability and vibrancy of our city,” Robinson told reporters during a press conference Monday morning.

WATCH: Brace for traffic headaches as 58 construction projects take over Toronto streets. Marianne Dimain reports.

2:19 Brace for traffic headaches as 58 construction projects take over Toronto streets

The city has already announced a number of construction activities including major projects in the downtown core.

Lane reductions are currently in place on Wellington Street from Church Street to York Street due to watermain construction work, streetcar track work and road resurfacing. Work is expected to be complete by September.

Meanwhile, the ramp from the eastbound Gardiner Expressway to York, Bay and Yonge Streets will be closed permanently as of April 17.

READ MORE: Wellington Street lane reductions begin April 10

The ramp will be replaced with a shorter ramp from the eastbound Gardiner Expressway to Lower Simcoe Street that will open in January 2018.

“This is a big undertaking. It will be disruptive. There is no doubt,” Robinson said. “But the Gardiner is crumbling and we need to address it. This is a big step forward and in a week’s time you’ll see it close and be demolished.”

As part of the project, Harbour Street will be widened to four lanes from Lower Simcoe Street to Bay Street to accommodate traffic and improve pedestrian and cycling access to the waterfront.

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There will be periodic daytime closures of the centre lane of Harbour Street from Lower Simcoe Street to Bay Street between May 1 and June 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Robinson said most of the construction projects will include changes to traffic signal timing, enhanced signage and extended work hours for onsite crew to minimize road congestion.

The public can get further information on the City of Toronto’s construction projects here.