Construction on the Gardiner Expressway is expected to be completed by the end of October, with all lanes potentially reopening as early as October 27. Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, confirmed this timeline, noting that the project has progressed significantly ahead of schedule.

The construction involves replacing a 700-meter section of the concrete deck and girders, along with other repairs between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue. Originally slated for completion by mid-2027, the project is now anticipated to finish nearly 18 months earlier than planned.

Sarkaria stated, "Initially, we thought we would get (the Gardiner) open a year earlier, but now we’re at a point where we can get it open almost 18 months before it was originally slated to happen." However, he cautioned that if the Toronto Blue Jays advance to the World Series, the reopening could be delayed slightly to avoid conflicts with the event.

Mayor Olivia Chow expressed a more cautious outlook, stating, "It will be done soon, probably by the end of the month, but there are some steps, some final steps that need to be done." She acknowledged that there could be unexpected delays.

The project has been expedited due to a $73 million investment from the provincial government, which allowed for around-the-clock construction work. In September, the City of Toronto reported that the project was six months ahead of its previous completion estimate.

The Gardiner Expressway is a vital route for commuters, handling over 100,000 vehicles daily. A study conducted in June 2024 indicated that travel times on the highway had increased by as much as 250 percent during morning rush hours and 230 percent in the afternoon. The study also revealed that commercial drivers were spending 80 percent more time on the Gardiner due to the construction.

In November 2023, the Ontario government and the City of Toronto announced a new agreement to transfer responsibility for the Gardiner and Don Valley Parkway to the province. This project is seen as a model for future road construction efforts, with Sarkaria emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to expedite similar projects across Ontario.