Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government will take over ownership of the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway [1].
This transfer shifts the long-term financial responsibility for two of Toronto's most critical transit arteries from the municipal level to the province. By removing these costs from the city's budget, Toronto can redirect funds toward urgent social services, and transit expansion.
The transfer of ownership is scheduled to occur in 2027 [1]. This move follows an intergovernmental agreement that was signed in 2023 [2]. Under the terms of the deal, the province of Ontario will officially assume control of the infrastructure and the associated maintenance costs.
Government officials said the primary goal of the transition is to free up municipal funds. Specifically, the city intends to use the recovered capital to address homelessness services, as well as to support the development of subways and light-rail projects [2].
The Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway serve as the primary conduits for traffic entering and exiting the downtown core. Because the infrastructure is aging, the cost of upkeep has historically placed a significant strain on the City of Toronto's annual budget.
By moving the highways into provincial jurisdiction, the Ford government aims to streamline the management of regional transportation networks. This alignment ensures that the province, which manages other major highways, now oversees these key Toronto routes as well.
“The province of Ontario will take over ownership of the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway”
This ownership shift represents a significant redistribution of fiscal responsibility between the municipal and provincial governments. By absorbing the maintenance costs of these highways, Ontario is effectively subsidizing Toronto's ability to fund social infrastructure and public transit, acknowledging that these highways serve as regional assets rather than just local city streets.
