Toronto has long been considered the "crane capital of North America" due to how many skyline-changing condo complexes are underway during any given season, but it's a totally different kind of construction that the metropolis is at the height of at the moment.

If you've felt like downtown thoroughfares are a little more hampered with roadwork than usual, you're seeing what is the $1 billion-plus investment into capital projects that the City plans to carry out this year.

From watermain replacements and bridge rehabilitations to the addition of new bike lanes and public realm improvements, there is a long list of infrastructure development on deck for Toronto in 2025.

Much of it involves necessary upgrades to elements that have been in operation for decades and can be, in some cases, over 100 years old.

"Toronto is North America's busiest city in terms of construction, and is experiencing significant growth and development. To support this growth, upgrades to existing infrastructure are required, including utilities and transit expansion projects," a representative for the City told blogTO late last week.

"At the same time, our aging infrastructures are in need of maintenance to keep them in a state-of-good repair to ensure that they are safe for public use and are sustainable. This results in an increase of construction activities."

These activities will not only top $1 billion in 2025, but will add up to some $49.8 billion for projects across City divisions between 2024 and 2033, per the current budget plan.

This includes, the representative says, all state of good repair, service improvements and growth projects funded on a municipal level. This peak in ongoing work also means, unfortunately, more messy sidewalk and lane closures, and general traffic disruptions.

"All the construction work — both public projects and private that impact the City's road network — requires careful coordination to minimize disruptive impacts while still supporting growth and maintenance. While we make every effort to minimize the disruption to the public, construction work will result in some road closures and delays, and we encourage residents and visitors to plan their trips in advance," they advise.

One of the most visible examples of this that kicked off last year and is carrying into this year (and next) is the ongoing revamp of the Gardiner Expressway, which has made gridlock on the southern edge of the City worse than ever.

While the project is moving ahead of schedule, the area will be backed up soon after it's complete, thanks to the Ontario Place revitalization.