After an hours-long debate about the future of Toronto's aging Gardiner Expressway, councillors will continue their discussion on Thursday about the two options being considered for the crumbling roadway.
Councillors began debating what to do with the 1.7-kilometre stretch of the Gardiner east of Jarvis Street on Wednesday morning, but a decision was not reached. At one point during the debate, a motion to refer the issue back to city staff was put forward, however it was voted down 15-29.
Councillors are considering two options that were recommend by the city’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee earlier this year: the remove alternative and the hybrid alternative.
A total of 16 councillors have publicly supported the $919-million hybrid option, while 15 say they favour the $461-million tear-down approach.
The remaining councillors are either undecided or are open to exploring another option.
Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti has proposed a skyway approach, a proposal he pitched in 2010 when he was running for mayor. Mammolitis idea involves transforming the Gardiner into a vehicle-free zone with walking and cycling paths and a light-rail public transit line.
The reality is that the full extent of the Gardiner will likely have to be dealt with in the coming years and I have already presented a viable solution, Mammoliti said in a statement released on Wednesday.
