GTA Highways Closed for 12 Hours This Sunday to Support Fundraising Event
Toronto's DVP and Gardiner Expressway closures Sunday for Bike for Brain Health Ride will cause significant traffic disruptions till 4 p.m.
Commuters planning to travel into or through the downtown area this Sunday are advised to prepare for extensive disruptions, as two major arteries—the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and Gardiner Expressway—will be closed to vehicles for over 12 hours. The closures are scheduled in support of the annual Bike for Brain Health Ride, an event designed to raise crucial funds for dementia research and support programs.
The shutdown will begin at midnight, blocking all lanes in both directions on the DVP from York Mills Road and the entirety of the Gardiner Expressway. Motorists heading eastbound on the Gardiner will be forced to exit at Lake Shore Boulevard West via the South Kingsway ramp, while all access to the DVP will be cut off just south of York Mills Road. This large-scale closure is expected to funnel heavy traffic onto alternate routes, leading to significant congestion on surface streets.
In addition to the expressways, several smaller roads surrounding Exhibition Place will also be closed to accommodate event safety and logistics. These include Saskatchewan Road, British Columbia Road, Princes’ Boulevard, Quebec Street, PEI Crescent, and a stretch of Dufferin Street between Springhurst Avenue and Saskatchewan Road. The combined impact of these closures is expected to ripple throughout the downtown core.
Authorities are urging drivers to avoid the area altogether if possible and to use public transit or other means of transportation instead. Toronto police have issued a warning that due to the “extensive road closures, motorists can expect significant delays,” especially on major arterial routes leading into or out of downtown. Event organizers and city officials say the temporary inconvenience is for a meaningful cause, supporting ongoing efforts to advance research and improve care for individuals living with dementia.
All affected roadways are scheduled to fully reopen by 4 p.m. Sunday, allowing regular traffic to resume just in time for the evening commute. Until then, travelers are advised to plan ahead, practice patience, and stay updated on alternate routes to minimize delays.
