The 2024 construction season will be London's busiest on record.
The work, which is already starting to get underway, will see the city reconstruct 89 lane-kilometres of road, improve 35 intersections, and add 34 kilometres of new bike lanes and sidewalks. Underground infrastructure improvements include the replacement of 12.5 kilometres of sanitary and storm sewers and the building or relining of 9.7 kilometres of watermain.
This planned work comes at a cost of $270 million.
As done in past years, the city has identified its top ten construction projects of the year. Among the ten are the Adelaide Street North Underpass and Victoria Bridge rebuilt.
Construction of the long-awaited four-lane underpass on Adelaide Street between Central Avenue and McMahen Street began in 2022. Once fully constructed, it will take drivers under the busy CP Rail tracks, eliminating the estimated 11 to 30 times each day that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are blocked by passing trains. It will also provide a reliable route for emergency services and public transit and reduce cut-through traffic in adjacent neighbourhoods, the city previously stated. Last summer, the two rail bridge pieces for the $60 million project were lifted into place and excavation of the actual underpass began. A pumping station to keep water out of the underpass once it is operational was also constructed in 2023.
Replacement of the 90-year-old Victoria Bridge above the Thames River on Ridout Street began in the summer of 2022. Dozens of people gathered near the construction site last June to watch the two new 90 metres long, 130 tonnes steel arches being lifted into place. The new $23 million bridge will have a wider deck surface to better accommodate cyclists, and pedestrians and offer improved connectivity to the Thames Valley Parkway.
It is anticipated construction of both the underpass and bridge will be completed this fall.
Also on the top ten list for 2024 is the next phase of upgrades at the intersection of Fanshawe Park Road and Richmond Street, infrastructure renewal at York Street and Wellington Street, and the widening of the Clark's Bridge on Wellington Street which accommodates the bus rapid transit Wellington Gateway project.
“We are very excited to deliver these projects in 2024 that will bring long-term infrastructure improvements to support our rapidly growing city, and London’s vision towards a more sustainable and emissions-free community,” said Jennie Dann, the city's director of construction and infrastructure services.
As the ambitious construction season will lead to numerous road closures, lane restrictions, and detours, the city is offering tips to help drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians get around. For drivers, the city recommends planning ahead using navigation apps, such as Waze or Google Maps, to find alternative routes and to embrace the zipper merge when approaching lane reductions.
Cyclists heading east or west through the downtown are being encouraged to make use of Dundas Place and the Dundas Bikeway, while pedestrians are urged to use nearby streets to avoid construction and to follow signs that will help direct them safely through the work area.
An interactive story map of London's top ten construction projects can be viewed by clicking here.