Torontos Economic Future Lies in Mayor John Torys Hands

The Eastern sector of Torontos Gardiner Expressway must be torn down based on
environmental, economic, municipal and safety concerns
By: Julian Barone & Andrew Dalimonte
The future of Torontos transportation routes have created controversy amongst the city
and will remain under inspection until further judgement is made. John Torys decision
with regards to the Eastern sector of the Gardiner Expressway will either benefit or
burden Torontos population, economically, municipally and environmentally. The
decision that will be made within the month of June will generate a massive impact on
the individuals who are living amongst the GTA. Mayor John Tory will need to consider
and outweigh the choices between the rebuilding of the deteriorated and collapsing
expressway which spans along our waterfront or the overall demolition of the elevated
Eastern Expressway Route. The decision must be made with the consideration of
Torontos future.
The benefits from removing the Eastern Sector of the Gardiner Expressway strongly
outweigh the decision that Mayor John Tory is leaning towards. With regards to effects
on the economy, Toronto will be impacted greatly if John Tory decides to rebuild and
renovate the current Eastern Gardiner Expressway. The rebuilding, renovation and
maintaining cost of the overall project would demand an estimated $137 million upfront
and approximately $919 million over a life cycle of 100-years. Whereas, the removal and
demolition option of the Eastern Gardiner Expressway would cost the city much less
while increasing the opportunity of acquiring more long-term revenue. The removal of
the Expressway and replacing with a grand boulevard would approximately cost the city
only $461 million while generating an additional $150-million in sales on the 12 acres of
new land that would provided for public retail. This decision takes the future of
Torontos economical success into consideration. The destruction of the collapsing
expressway would cost an estimated $608-million less in expenses. The new land that

will be obtained after the demolition of the Eastern Gardiner Expressway will generate a
substantial amount of revenue for the city due to the accessible Eastern waterfront.
The advantages are outlined and are clearly indicated. The removal of the Gardiner East
would mean that the massive obstruction to our waterfront would be demolished. The
removal of the Gardiner East would grant the city of Toronto a significant amount of
space. This would further benefit the city because it would provide them with the
opportunity of creating a new, aesthetically pleasing and competitive waterfront that
would remain connected and accessible to the downtown region.
The magnitude of the difference between the renovation and destruction of the Eastern
Gardiner Expressway is massive. The associated costs with both options vary greatly
which will affect the population of Toronto negatively or positively depending on what
option is chosen. In an economy alike the one that we are undergoing, we must focus on
the difference of cost. The city of Toronto must remain within the budgetary constraints
so that the tax payers of Toronto arent affected drastically. The $500-700 million dollar
difference between the reinstallation of the Eastern Gardiner Expressway and the
demolition of it is huge. The millions of dollars that could be saved by choosing the
demolition option would greatly advance and prosper the city of Toronto. The
opportunities are endless. The open waterfront would open the opportunity if advancing
Torontos waterfront Light Rapid Transit Line and could help identify a majority of the
outstanding accumulation at Toronto Community Housing.
The Eastern sector of the Gardiner Expressway consumes a large quantity of land that
could provide use for the city of Toronto in economic relations. A substantial area
spanning from the north and south is affected by this eye-soar. The demolition of the
Eastern sector of the Gardiner Expressway would allow and promote innovation to the
waterfront. It would enhance and expand further public access while establishing strong
north and south connections between the waters edge and downtown neighbourhoods.
This would increase the demand for the transportation route thus stimulating the
economy and increasing rate of employment.

For commuters the new roads that would be built would be designed in order to meet
and reduce traffic demand. The availability of Eastern Expressway tends to attract a
large quantity of people which generates more traffic leading to a congested roadway. In
order to reverse this constant cycle, the elimination of the Eastern Expressway will
simply redistribute the commuters to a variety of alternative roadways. Some
individuals may change the method of transportation because the roadway that they
desire is no longer accessible.
Removing the Gardiner East will only affect 3% of Toronto commuters while barely
influencing their commuting patterns. Only 3% of these commuters use the Gardiner
East as a primary route every day. These individuals will encounter a minimal delay by a
few minutes. These commuters will continue to drive their normal route but without
accessing the Gardiner East. The car demand will most likely not decrease but increase
due to the demand of the new routes that have been created (commuters use different
roadways). Removing the Gardiner East would provide the city of Toronto with excess
public dollars that would be used towards future investments.
Overall, the removal of the Gardiner East is a must. If we care about the future of
Torontos economic, municipal and environmental success the Easter sector of the
Gardiner Expressway must be torn down. It is an opportunity that is accessible at this
very moment and will not be given to the people of Toronto again. If we do not tear
down the Gardiner East the waterfront will already be developed thus losing the
opportunity to establish a connection for further generations. When opportunity knocks,
open the door.