Flooding closes major GTA roadways. What you need to know about getting around

Flooding prompted the closure of major roads in the Greater Toronto Area following severe rainfall on Tuesday.

Stretches of the Don Valley Parkway, a key highway running from the north part of the city into downtown, are closed in both directions. Stretches of the highway were under brown water by Tuesday afternoon and multiple stranded vehicles could be seen abandoned in the lanes, with water having risen up past their headlights in some cases. 

Southbound lanes of the DVP are closed from Bayview/Bloor to the Gardiner Expressway, while northbound lanes are closed from the Gardiner Expressway to Dundas Street, according to the city.  Toronto police say the entrance to the DVP from the Don Roadway is also closed.

On another major artery, Highway 410, Ontario Provincial Police Const. Scott Stratton said, “The water was as high as the tops of the vehicles.”

• Were you affected by flooding or power outages in Toronto? Share your photos, videos and stories with us by emailing ask@cbc.ca.

The local fire department was out on an inflatable boat paddling to vehicles stranded on the highway, he said.

“In some cases, the water is halfway up the window, but in other cases, it’s completely submerged,” said Stratton.

The conditions are causing major disruptions to transit as well.

Here’s what you need to know:

TTC and GO Transit disruptions

The Toronto Transit Commission says subway service is gradually being restored, but there are still multiple surface diversions and delays due to flooding and pooling.

A full list of service disruptions can be found on the TTC website. 

• TTC, Line 1: Trains not stopping at Union station. 

• TTC, Line 2: No service between Islington and Jane stations. Shuttle buses are operating. 

GO Transit warned customers: “Delays, cancellations, and modifications are expected.”

• GO Transit, Kitchener GO line: Trains are now serving customers between Union and Bramalea GO. Customers going past Bramalea will still be provided with access to GO shuttle buses.

• GO Transit, Lakeshore West GO line: Trains are not stopping at Exhibition GO or Long Branch GO (customers are still being asked to take the TTC if they want to use these two stations). GO Transit is also running an adjusted service this afternoon, so some trains between Union and Oakville will be cancelled.

• GO Transit, Richmond Hill: Trains will depart Union on time but will detour on different tracks to make all stops between Langstaff and Bloomington GO adding additional travel time. Trains will not stop at Old Cummer and Oriole GO.

WATCH | Union Station flooded following torrential downpours in southern Ontario: 

Union Station flooded following torrential downpours in southern Ontario

4 hours ago

Duration 4:15

A severe storm has led to flooded streets in Toronto and transit disruptions, including at Union Station. CBC’s Lisa Xing has the latest on how the storm is affecting commuters across the city.

Major road closures 

• Highway 410, southbound from Highway 401 to Highway 407, is expected to be closed for 24 hours.

• Highway 401, eastbound ramp to Mavis Road.

• Lake Shore Boulevard West from Strachan Avenue to British Columbia Road in both directions.

• Convair Drive between Britannia Road E. and Flightline Drive. Pearson Airport says the road will be closed for two days to allow water to clear and a roadway safety assessment to be done.

Heading to the airport?

• With the Highway 410 closure, anyone travelling to the Toronto Pearson International Airport is urged to plan ahead to take an alternate route as some leave extra time for the commute.

• Some roads around the airport continue to be closed. “However, roads leading into the terminals have not been impacted, and parking garages remain open,” the airport says.

• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport: Pedestrian tunnel will remain closed until Tuesday as the airport brings its systems back online following the power outage in Toronto. Ferry operations continue to operate normally and are providing access to and from the airport.

Scenes of the flooded Don Valley Parkway

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