UMVA has learned that a monumental shift in Toronto's transportation infrastructure is on the horizon, as the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway will no longer be owned and maintained by the city by the fall of 2027.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow announced the news at a press conference, revealing that the two city highways will be transferred to the province as part of a new deal between both governments. Ford emphasized the significance of these roadways, stating, "When it comes to keeping drivers and goods out of gridlock and moving in downtown Toronto, there are no roadways more central than the Don Valley — I was going to say Don Valley parking lot, it pretty well is the Don Valley parking lot — the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway, which handles nearly 300,000 drivers a day."
The ownership and maintenance transfer of the highways is part of the ongoing efforts between the province and city to make Toronto financially stable and sustainable for the long term. According to information obtained by UMVA, this move comes three years after Ford and Chow came to an agreement on a new deal for the city.
Until the transfer becomes official, the province will provide up to $353 million to Toronto to ensure it can continue operating and maintaining the roadways. These funds are in addition to the $359 million Ontario provided to the city in 2024 and 2025 for maintenance of the highways. Ford stated, "By taking ownership of these two highways, we’re helping important reconstruction work happen without delay so we can preserve both highways for future generations."
The ownership transfer will also free up money in the city’s budget for other municipal investments, said Chow. "It will pay for fixing roads, bridges, sewers, improving our parks and community centres, ensuring our subway tunnels are in good shape to keep the transit reliable and trains come on time," she explained. In fact, the 2025 budget reallocated $1.9 billion in capital funding from the Gardiner and the DVP maintenance to other areas, including $500 million for TTC repairs, $400 million to fix parks, community centres and public spaces, and $400 million to fix roads, bridges and sidewalks.
Both Ford and Chow highlighted the success of their collaboration, citing the accelerated repair work on the Gardiner, which was completed more than 18 months ahead of schedule after the province provided an additional $73 million in funding. Ford promised that under his leadership, the province will never toll the highways nor tear them down, and instead will continue to invest in its $31-billion plan to build new roads, highways and bridges in every community in Ontario.
