City of Toronto staff want council to give the go-ahead to tear down the eastern end of the Gardiner Expressway.

The recommendation is part of the ongoing environmental assessment of the Gardiner East.

The staff report says that removing the elevated expressway east of Jarvis Street is the cheapest option – at a cost of $417 million dollars.

With the eastern portion of the expressway gone, Lake Shore Boulevard would be widened by two lanes, turning it into an eight-lane thouroughfare.

The Public Works Committee will debate the recommendation next week before it goes on to city council.

Mayor Rob Ford has said he’s against any move to tear down the Gardiner.