Huron Sussex in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Spadina Expressway

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025

1. Spadina Expressway Marker

Inscription. In the 1960s, this stretch of Spadina Road was to be transformed into the southern end of a sunken, four- to six-lane expressway, and a subway line. They would connect downtown Toronto with Highway 401, but the expressway would require the destruction of neighbourhoods and parkland along its route.

The Spadina Expressway and subway line were one part of a much larger plan to manage traffic congestion in and around Toronto. Already part of the City's master plan in 1943, new "superhighways" responded to projections of dramatic suburban growth and the increasing use of the automobile to bring commuters to and from downtown.

Shortly after the formation of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto in 1953, construction of a system of expressways began with the Gardiner, Expressway. Metropolitan Toronto Council approved the Spadina Expressway and subway line in 1962.

Erected 2010 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 43° 39.997′ N, 79° 24.212′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Huron Sussex. It is at the intersection of

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Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Bloor Street West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 393 Bloor St W, Toronto ON M5S 2J4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “Stop Spadina Save Our City” (here, next to this marker); After the Spadina Expressway (here, next to this marker); Young Men’s - Young Women’s Hebrew Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint Thomas’s Anglican Church (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Medical Arts Building (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); 35 Walmer Road (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Brunswick House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Early meteorology in Canada / Les débuts de la météorologie au Canada (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Spadina Expressway Marker (on the right of the three markers) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025

2. Spadina Expressway Marker (on the right of the three markers)

Spadina Expressway marker map illustration and caption detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025

3. Spadina Expressway marker map illustration and caption detail

Spadina Expressway marker photos and captions detail (right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025

4. Spadina Expressway marker photos and captions detail (right)

Early 1970s road map of Toronto showing (dotted lines) the never built Spadina Expressway image. Click for full size.

5. Early 1970s road map of Toronto showing (dotted lines) the never built Spadina Expressway

Contributor’s collection

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 235 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 6, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.