Starting Tuesday, February 28, as construction continues for Phase 2 of the Downtown Loop and Municipal Infrastructure Improvements project, the following traffic changes will be in place:
- On Tuesday, February 28, 2023 (weather permitting), lane restrictions will begin on Queens Avenue between Richmond Street and Talbot Street, including the Talbot intersection to allow for Hydro work in the area. Lane restrictions are anticipated to be in place for approximately two weeks.
- Queens Avenue will be fully closed between Wellington Street and Richmond Street, including the Clarence Street intersection, starting on Monday, March 6, 2023 (weather permitting), until approximately summer 2023. Destinations in this block of Queens Avenue can be accessed via Richmond Street, as a temporary two-way traffic configuration will be in place to support local access to businesses and properties.
Motorists travelling westbound on Queens Avenue will be detoured to Dufferin Avenue and York Street for east-west connections, while this closure is in place between Wellington Street and Richmond Street. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes when travelling through the area and are advised to expect delays and plan ahead by using navigation apps such as Waze and Google Maps. Detour signs will be installed to help guide traffic around the closure.
Above: A map of the upcoming traffic changes downtown and the best routes to reach Dundas Place and Queens Avenue destinations by car or bike.
Further information:
Queens Avenue from Clarence Street to Richmond Street:
- Local traffic only will be maintained to accommodate access to Municipal Lot #5 and properties and businesses in the area, which remain open. Signage will be in place to notify drivers about the road closures and restrictions.
Other nearby restrictions:
Wellington Street, just north of the King Street intersection:
- Temporary lane restrictions are currently in place at Wellington Street, just north of the King Street intersection to allow for utility relocation in preparation for construction of the Downtown Loop Phase 3 and Wellington Gateway Phase 1 (rapid transit) projects, which are anticipated to be in place until approximately Friday, March 31, 2023. Construction for these two rapid transit projects is expected to begin in March 2023 and further details about construction will be shared at virtual pre-construction meeting on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 5 pm. Information on how to join the meeting is available at https://getinvolved.london.ca/downtownloop and https://getinvolved.london.ca/wellingtongateway.
Wellington Street from Grey Street to Queens Avenue:
- Periodic lane restriction are currently in place at Wellington Street between Grey Street and Queens Avenue, while crews install temporary traffic signals and streetlighting in preparation for construction of the Downtown Loop Phase 3 and Wellington Gateway Phase 1 projects.
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.
During construction on Queens Avenue, all buses normally operating on Queens Avenue will be detoured to Dufferin Avenue. Transit users are advised to visit the LTC website for the most up-to-date information about route changes and detours.
Renew Link – Queens at Talbot: https://maps.london.ca/renewlondon?id=50247
Renew Link – Queens between Wellington and Richmond: https://maps.london.ca/renewlondon?id=50249
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 of the project was built in 2021 on King Street and construction of Phase 2 on Queens Avenue started in 2022, with some planned carry-over work in 2023. Phase 3 of the Downtown Loop construction will begin in March 2023 on Wellington Street from Queens Avenue to York Street.
The project will also add new streetscape elements as well as transportation improvements above ground, while repairing and replacing aging sewers, watermains and other underground infrastructure.