Hello Ward 13,
Welcome to the April 2024 newsletter with news and events from Ward 13.
This month, we highlight our appreciation of our environment as we celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd, and reinforce our collective commitment to a better and cleaner future.
In April, we embark on significant work with the new renewal construction program. Many exciting projects are scheduled for the ward, including developments on the northeast corner of Central and Richmond and enhancements to biking infrastructure on Central Avenue, among others.
Here’s to an April filled with sunshine, laughter, and positive transformations around us.
Regards
David Ferreira
Councillor Ward 13, London Ontario
David Ferreira | 519-661-2489 ext. 4013 | dferreira@london.ca |
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| Another Big Year for London’s Renew Construction Program |
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The City of London is set to deliver $270 million in infrastructure investments across the city as part of the London’s Renew Construction Program.
This year’s projects include essential transportation projects, sewer separation in the core and multiple phases of rapid transit, as well as improvements to more than 35 intersections, new bike lanes and sidewalks, and upgrades and improvements to aging underground infrastructure.
Also in 2024, both the Adelaide Street North Underpass and Victoria Bridge projects will open to traffic with the projects anticipated to wrap up by the fall.
All businesses remain open and accessible during construction. For more information on current and upcoming construction projects, visit london.ca/construction.
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| Adelaide Underpass Preparation: Closures of Central Ave and McMahen Street |
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| Above: Getting there! Major excavation is underway, and the underpass is starting to take shape. |
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Beginning Wednesday, April 10, Central Avenue and McMahen Street will be closed on the east side of Adelaide Street North to support preparations to permanently open one lane of traffic in each direction under the Adelaide underpass.
Road closures on Central Avenue and McMahon Street will remain in place until fall 2024. During this time, local traffic can access McMahen Street and Central Avenue from Elizabeth Street. As always, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to watch for wayfinding signage to safely navigate around construction.
Northbound and southbound traffic on Adelaide Street North will continue to use the temporary bypass road until the new vehicle lanes under the underpass permanently open. Additional information about vehicle lane openings and sidewalks in the area will be released once timing is confirmed.
For regular updates to the project see https://getinvolved.london.ca/adelaide
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| Clarks Bridge Pre-Construction Notice |
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As part of the Wellington Gateway project, construction on Clark’s Bridge began this month on Wellington Street/Road between just north of the Thames River and Watson Street, requiring reduced lanes and turning restrictions through the project area.
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| Dundas Place Traffic Configuration |
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The City of London has several updates regarding traffic diversions, speed limits, and traffic signage opportunities related to Dundas Place Traffic Configuration.
The temporary traffic diversions on Dundas Place that helped mitigate construction impacts and cut-through traffic are no longer needed this year as work is now substantially complete on King Street and Queens Avenue.
The City will evaluate how Dundas Place is used by pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers without the traffic restrictions and the effects of nearby construction.
The City is proposing reduce the speed limit of Dundas Place to 20 km/hr. A lower speed limit is intended to support the patio experience in the area, as well as the events and activities that will continue to happen regularly along Dundas Place and in Market Lane. If approved by Council, signage about the updated speed limit would be installed later this spring.
The City is also planning to add new entrance feature signage on the centre traffic line at the Ridout and Wellington entrances to Dundas Place. This signage is expected to be installed later this spring or summer.
The City is also proposing to permit right-turns onto Dundas Place from Richmond Street after hearing feedback from the community and reviewing current operations.
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| Pre-Construction Notice – 2024/2025 Infrastructure Renewal Program: York and Wellington Street |
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In 2024, the City plans to commence a construction project to replace aging infrastructure that has met its expected lifecycle, and to remove existing combined sewers.Reminder that project work is planned on York Street, from Clarence Street to Colborne Street, and on Wellington Street, from Bathurst Street to King Street. The project is intended to be constructed in two phases (2024 and 2025). Proposed Timeline
Construction contract approval: April 2024
Construction starts: April 2024
Construction ends: November 2025 with some minor cleanup work in Spring 2026
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| Tree Removals and Other Preparatory Work for City-wide Infrastructure Projects |
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As the City of London prepares to complete a wide range of infrastructure projects this year, necessary tree removals and other advance work is currently underway across London. The City recognizes the significance of trees in our community and to the City’s Urban Forestry Strategy and Climate Emergency Action Plan goals.Tree protection and preservation is of the utmost importance during any City-led project and despite best efforts to explore design alternatives, tree removals are at times required to successfully and safely complete infrastructure projects.
The City has a robust forestry program in place to maintain and grow the number of trees in London. The City plants more than 5,000 trees each year and gives away more than 2,000 trees to residents as part of free tree giveaway events. There are an estimated seven million trees within the City limits.
Any resident interested in requesting a boulevard tree be planted in front of their home by the City can visit london.ca/treeplanting to submit a request.
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| Central Ave Cycling Improvements |
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The City of London plans to install new cycling infrastructure on Central Avenue this spring and summer, between Richmond and William Streets, to expand the core cycling network. The project will include a full traffic signal rebuild at the Richmond Street intersection and repurpose the existing right turn channel at the southeast corner of Central Avenue and Richmond Street into an expanded Victoria Park entrance.
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| Learn about the landscape design features being added as part of the Central Avenue cycling improvement project by watching the video. |
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Changes below are as a result of the above updates.
Parking:
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On Central, from Richmond to Wellington, the project will result in 12 spots on the north and 11 on the south, which will see a net decrease of 1 space as there are currently 12 parking spaces on each side.
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On Richmond, north of Central, there will be an increase of 6 parking spaces on the East side.
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Near Richmond Row, the project is +5 parking spaces.
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East of Wellington, the south side on-street parking will be eliminated to accommodate the bike lanes. This represents a net loss of approximately 10-12 spaces per block for 4 blocks. To offset this, parking has already been implemented on the east side of Waterloo Street between Dufferin and Pall Mall.
Trees:
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8 Trees on the North side have been removed as part of the project, as well as 2 trees in the brick paver island on the Southeast corner of Richmond and Central.
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At this time the project has 4 trees being replanted in the landscaped plaza near Richmond. We will continue to coordinate with Forestry on opportunities for replanting in this corridor.
Brick Sidewalks on Wolfe & Hyman:
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| Water Service Replacement Letter: Wellington Street |
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Reminder to residents/property owners for select properties within the limits of the proposed Wellington Gateway Phase 1 project. The City of London is currently constructing Wellington Street from Horton Street to the Thames River as part of the Rapid Transit Wellington Gateway Phase 1 project, with continued construction in 2024. This includes replacing municipal water services up to the water meter inside selected properties, at no cost to property owners. Property owners identified for this service will need to grant access for the assessment and replacement of water services, ensuring any interior restoration is to the same or better condition, again at no expense. Participation requires returning signed Consent to Enter and Building Permit Application Information forms are due by April 12, 2024, to facilitate scheduling and permit application by the contractor on behalf of the property owner.
Please contact. City Water Contact
Josh Robinson
519-661-CITY (2489) x 0122
jrobinso@london.ca |
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| Construction Notices, Road Closures, Rapid Transit Implementation Updates |
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| Infrastructure Projects 2024 – Ward 13 |
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| Click the link below for a list of Planning Applications in Ward 13 |
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| City of London builds 24 more units of highly supportive housing |
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The City of London is using $2.7 million over the next two years of Council-approved funding dedicated to London Cares Homeless Response Services to add 24 new highly supportive housing units at the House of Hope established in the fall of 2023. The initiative will convert 15 temporary resting space beds at 448 Horton Street to 24 furnished highly supportive housing units at 362 Dundas Street in addition to London Cares’ current supportive housing spaces.
Highly supportive housing is a critical part of London’s Whole of Community System Response endorsed by City Council in March 2023, which is London’s roadmap to help the most marginalized Londoners move safely inside, become stabilized, supported, and connected to appropriate housing. Through a combination of affordable housing and supportive services, highly supportive housing helps people live and thrive in the community.
The Whole of Community System Response has developed a strategy to ultimately create 600 highly supportive housing units in London, which is outlined in London’s Health & Homelessness Response: Highly Supportive Housing Plan, submitted to the March 26 agenda for City Council’s Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC).
For more information on the Whole of Community System Response, visit london.ca.
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London Clean & Green is a community and business partnership campaign that has been promoting litter prevention, encouraging community clean-ups, and helping organize environmental projects in April around Earth Day (April 22nd 2024) in London, Ontario Canada for over 28 years.
Find information on this year’s events below, or follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates!
20 Minute London Makeover – Friday, April 19, 2024
- Grab a bag and gloves and head outside to pick up litter and help spruce up our city! Tidy up outside for just 20 minutes, you’ll be amazed at what a difference 20 minutes can make!
Community-wide Clean-up – Saturday, April 20, 2023 (9am-noon)
- Plan your own clean-up event, join one that might be planned in your area, or participate on your own on a day that has become the largest community driven clean-up effort in the city.
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