Closed roads, lanes restrictions, and seemingly endless detours await drivers as London embarks on another ambitious construction season.
A report headed to the civic works committee next week outlines the city’s plans to reconstruct 80 lane-kilometres of road and make safety improvements to 25 intersections in 2023. The cost of the planned road work is estimated at more than $200 million.
“This is another busy year for construction in London as we are constructing a wide range of projects, including new roads, bridges, roundabouts, pathways and bus and bike lanes,” said Jennie Dann, the city’s director of construction and infrastructure services. “These projects are key to supporting our growing population, making sure London is sustainable and ready for the future, and making it safer for people to get around – no matter how they travel.”
Underground, the city will be replacing 20 kilometres of sanitary and storm sewers and rebuilding 12 kilometres of watermain this year. According to the city, replacing the century-old infrastructure beneath roads will improve resiliency to the effects of climate change and support development for many years to come.
Active transportation connections will also see some upgrades. More than 16 kilometres of new bike lanes and 14 kilometres of new sidewalk will be added, while roughly 26 kilometres of existing sidewalk will be replaced.
As a way of highlighting the upcoming work, the city has released a top ten list of 2023 construction projects. They are as follows:
Adelaide Street North Underpass
Downtown Loop Phase 3
Wellington Gateway Phase 1
East London Link Phase 2
Victoria Bridge Replacement
Mud Creek Phase 2
Fanshawe Park Road and Richmond Street Intersection Improvements
Southdale and Colonel Talbot Roundabout
Quebec Street Infrastructure Renewal
Dingman Drive Improvements
An interactive map of the top ten construction projects created by the city can be found by clicking here.
