“Single largest infrastructure project in London’s history” just got $123 million in federal dollars

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Wellington gateway
The Wellington Gateway project includes a new park-and-ride facility near Highway 401, widening the bridge over the Thames River to accommodate additional traffic and multi-use pathways, widening the road between Downtown and Highway 401 to provide continuous transit lanes, and adding intelligent traffic signals. Its cost is expected to be $95.3 million in combined municipal, provincial and federal funds (City of London image)

By Kristen Frisa

London infrastructure has received a big boost, after the Canadian government pledged $123 million to help foster active transportation and transit infrastructure projects in the city.

Peter Fragiskatos, member of parliament for London North Centre and Kate Young, member of parliament for London West, announced the funding, which will go toward 10 projects.

Included are the purchase of new buses, creation of transit lanes and hubs, intersection improvements, sidewalk work, and cycle paths. An expanded express service and more efficient connections on current routes as well as a proposed rapid transit corridor are also in the works.

Transit users are expected to experience shorter travel times and improved reliability thanks to the changes.

“This investment represents the single largest infrastructure project in London’s history and will improve mobility for all Londoners, regardless of how they travel. In addition, these 10 transit projects will also stimulate job growth and road safety improvements. After years of division and delay, London is finally on the move,” said London mayor Ed Holder.

“The projects announced today will provide residents and commuters with the infrastructure needed to travel across the community safely,” Fragiskatos said.“The projects announced today will provide residents and commuters with the infrastructure needed to travel across the community safely.”

The federal funding will come from the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream (PTIS) of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. Ontario’s government has also agreed to kick in more than $103 million for the projects, while the City of London will contribute more than $82 million.

“Investing in public transit infrastructure helps build sustainable communities, encourages economic growth and strengthens the middle class. The projects we are celebrating today will improve transit services and active transportation options, promoting healthier and safer ways for commuters to get where they need to be,” Young said.

Canada’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan will provide $180 billion over 12 years to public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities. Fully $28.7 billion of that is for transit projects.

Detailed project information:

Project Name

Project Details

Federal Funding

Provincial Funding

Municipal / Other Funding

East London Link

This project involves widening the road to accommodate dedicated bus lanes from downtown to Fanshawe College and the Highbury Bridge overpass, installing intelligent traffic signals with priority sensors and video along the transit route, and new cycling facilities and a transit hub for Fanshawe College. Residents and commuters will benefit from reduced intersection delays, shorter travel times, and improved cycling facilities.

$41,680,000

$34,729,860

$27,790,140

Adelaide Street Underpass Active Transportation Connections

This project includes the construction of multi-use paths on both sides of Adelaide Street as well as a cycling path south of the Central Avenue underpass. Residents and commuters will benefit from improved connections to bus stops on Adelaide Street and future rapid transit on Oxford Street.

$6,034,692

$5,028,407

$4,023,630

Intelligent Traffic Signals

This project involves upgrading the city’s intersections to a high-bandwidth intersection communication network, upgrading the traffic signal management system to include GPS-based transit signal priority, and the construction of a traffic management center. Residents and commuters will benefit from improved transit reliability and travel time monitoring along key corridors.

$7,800,000

$6,499,350

$5,200,650

Downtown Loop

This project includes streetscape improvements, new transit stations and cycling lanes, and new intelligent traffic signals with transit signal priority to reduce intersection delays and shorten travel times. Commuters and residents will benefit from improved traffic flow, safety, accessibility, reliability, and better connections to Via Rail and Greyhound bus stations.

$11,280,000

$9,399,060

$7,820,940

Dundas Place Thames Valley Parkway Active Transportation Connection

This project includes rebuilding a section of Dundas Street to improve sidewalks and accommodate cycling lanes. Cyclists and pedestrians will benefit from improved connections between the Thames Valley Parkway and nearby transit stops along the Downtown Loop, the rapid transit corridor, and other routes.

$1,600,000

$1,333,200

$1,066,800

Wellington Gateway

This project includes a new park-and-ride facility near Highway 401, widening the bridge over the Thames River to accommodate additional traffic and multi-use pathways, widening the road between Downtown and Highway 401 to provide continuous transit lanes, and adding intelligent traffic signals. Commuters and residents will benefit from reduced intersection delays, shorter travel times and better transit infrastructure.

$38,120,000

$31,763,490

$25,416,510

Dundas Street Old East Village Streetscape Improvements

This project will revitalize the transit corridor by enhancing connections to both the local transit system and the proposed rapid transit system in the Dundas street area. Residents and commuters will benefit from wider boulevards, new cycling amenities, and new pedestrian lighting along the rapid transit corridor.

$3,280,000

$2,733,060

$2,186,940

Oxford Street / Wharncliffe Road Intersection Improvements

This project will update transit routes through the busy intersection of Oxford Street and Wharncliffe Road. Residents and commuters will benefit from transit queue jump lanes and other intersection, improved traffic signals and lighting, and new sidewalks and bike lanes that will provide direct connections to transit services.  

$3,520,000

$2,933,040

$2,346,960

Expansion Buses

This project will provide the London Transit Commission with 31 new 40′ and 60′ diesel buses. Residents will benefit from expanded express bus service, more direct connections and better, more frequent bus service.

$10,080,000

$8,399,160

$6,720,840

Bus Stop Amenities

This project involves installing 60 new bus shelters with solar powered lighting and benches, as well as upgrading the lighting at existing bus stops to new solar-powered lights.

$440,000

$366,630

$293,370

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