Starting Monday, March 28, as construction begins for Phase 2 of the Downtown Loop and Municipal Infrastructure Improvements project, the following traffic restrictions will be in place:
- Ridout Street North between Fullarton Street and Queens Avenue will be closed to all road users;
- both Queens Avenue from Talbot Street to Ridout Street, and Ridout Street North between Queens Avenue and King Street will experience temporary lane restrictions; and
- temporary traffic diversions will be implemented for Dundas Place.
These road closures and restrictions are expected to be in place for approximately four months. Crews will be in the area starting on Monday, March 28, setting up traffic control, mobilizing equipment, and completing advance work.
Further information:
Queens Avenue (from Talbot Street to Ridout Street), and Ridout Street North (from Queens Avenue to King Street):
- One lane of vehicle traffic will be maintained to accommodate local traffic, transit, and visits to businesses in the area, which remain open. Signage will be in place to notify drivers about the road closures and restrictions.
- Motorists travelling through the area will be detoured to Dufferin Avenue and York Street while this closure is in place and are encouraged to use alternate routes when travelling from the west, north and south ends of the city. Traffic delays are expected, and drivers are advised to look for signage in the area, and to plan ahead by using the Waze app.
Dundas Place:
- Temporary traffic diversions will be in effect on Dundas Place to support safety and mobility for all during construction.
- Motor vehicles will not be able to enter Dundas Place at Ridout Street or Wellington Street. Instead, they will access Dundas Place from Talbot, Richmond, and Clarence Streets to reach their destination. Vehicles will still be able to exit Dundas Place at Ridout and Wellington Streets.
Drivers will still be able to access nearby parking lots and downtown destinations, and can take advantage of two hours of complimentary parking at municipal lots and on-street locations by using the Honk app and entering promo code ‘CORE’. “Park and pick-up locations” are also available downtown for quick food and parcel pickups.
Pedestrian and bike access will be maintained through the area. Cyclists are encouraged to use Dundas Place, where connections to the Dundas Cycle Track and Dundas-TVP are available for east-west cycling through the core. Navigational signs will be in place to help guide cyclists and pedestrians through the construction zone.
During construction, some buses will continue running on Queens Avenue, while others may be detoured to nearby streets. Transit users are advised to visit the LTC website for the most up to date information about route changes and detours.
The areas of Queens Avenue undergoing construction will shift as work progresses easterly this year. Work on the stages located between Talbot Street and Wellington Street will require closures and restrictions in the months ahead.
The Downtown Loop is the first of London’s rapid transit projects and includes curbside bus-only lanes and enhanced rapid transit stops. Phase 1 on King Street was built in 2021, and Phase 2 will begin on March 28, 2022, and is expected to be completed by December 2022 with some carry-over work for spring 2023.
The project will include the addition of a new bus-only lane on Queens Avenue and Ridout Street North and add new streetscape elements as well as transportation improvements above ground, while repairing and replacing aging sewers, watermains and other underground infrastructure.
Anyone who wants to receive the most up-to date traffic information on the project directly is encouraged to sign up for email updates at getinvolved.london.ca/downtownloop.