Mayor John Tory has won a vote which paves the way for a so-called hybrid version of the Gardiner Expressway. Council was deeply split and the final division of 24 to 21 appears to reveal a downtown vs suburban split. The hybrid road requires a realignment of the roadway east of Jarvis Street to re-join the eastern portion of the expressway which leads to Scarborough. Most of the opposition to a Hybrid was in favour of removing the eastern piece of the Gardiner and building a “boulevard” and developed amenities. The version generally summoned up by this was gentrified commercial activity. This was the option favored by City Planner Jennifer Keesmaat. a vote on the boulevard option failed 26 to 19. Analysis suggests that some supporters of the hybrid were not keen about but it voted to prevent further congestion — a fearsome word at City Hall. There is nothing imminent about any of this. It may quite a few years before work begins on any option.
