City crews are investigating after concrete fell from Toronto's aging Gardiner Expressway Tuesday morning.
Police were called to a section of the westbound Gardiner Expressway near the Don Valley Parkway shortly before 9 a.m., Const. Jeniffer Sidhu told CTV Toronto.
A spokesperson for the city told CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson Tuesday afternoon that a chunk of concrete had fallen from the south side of the westbound Gardiner onto the Lakeshore.
Police previously told CTV Toronto that the falling concrete came from the raised portion of the eastbound Gardiner onto the westbound section, blocking the left lane. The eastbound section, leading to the Don Valley Parkway, is several metres higher than the westbound portion in that area of the Expressway
The spokesperson also said several chunks of concrete measuring between 15 to 30 centimetres in size were found, but it's not clear if they came from one larger piece that had broken into smaller chunks, or if several pieces had fallen.
The city says they are not aware of another section of the Gardiner where more concrete may have fallen. Sidhu previously told CTV Toronto that city crews were also looking at another section of the Gardiner, between Sherbourne and Jarvis Streets, where more concrete fell Tuesday morning.
The left lane of the westbound Gardiner remains closed as city crews continue to investigate the incident. No injuries have been reported.
City crews typically inspect the Gardiner for loose concrete three times a year beginning in mid-spring, but following Tuesday's incident, an inspection will be conducted on Wednesday.
"We'll be looking at other strategies over the next few weeks to increase our inspection," Toronto's Transportation Services Director Myles Currie told CTV Toronto. "It typically takes about six weeks to do a complete visual inspection; following that we get the technical reports and we take appropriate action."
In the meantime, crews have been putting up timber to brace portions of the Gardiner in areas where chipping and concrete repairs are not deemed sufficient. Netting may also be used where necessary.
Toronto Mayor John Tory has also asked staff for an "immediate report" on additional measures the city can take to make the expressway safer.
Later this spring, city staff is expected to report back with an update on options for the Gardiner east of Jarvis Street that include the possibility of tearing that section down.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson
