Five London projects receive $24.5M
All three levels of government have committed a total of $24.5 million toward five active transportation-related projects in London.
Announced on July 11, the projects will add more routes for cyclists and pedestrians, adapt streetscapes to make sharing them easier, and build more infrastructure needed to support walking, riding, and rolling.
The works include building 13 kilometres of new cycling lanes on the road or in the boulevard of Bradley Avenue, Cheapside Street, and Central Avenue; expanding the south branch of the Thames Valley Parkway trail system by 750 metres; and building as many as three bike-parking structures.
The City of London says the Thames Valley Parkway extension will fill a gap along the multi-use pathway between Wellington Street and Maitland Street on the north side of the Thames River.
The new path will better connect the parkway to the SoHo neighbourhood and the residential developments currently being constructed at the Old Victoria Hospital Lands. It will also connect Londoners to other transportation infrastructure, such as the rapid transit corridor being constructed nearby along the Wellington Gateway.
Construction of the extension is anticipated to begin in 2025.
The two other projects focus on improving intersections to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
“Enhancing connectivity across London is a key priority for our city, and this investment in active transportation infrastructure is a significant step forward,” said Mayor Josh Morgan. “The new infrastructure will create more seamless routes for pedestrians and cyclists, linking neighbourhoods and making it easier for residents to get around. This initiative will not only improve mobility but also foster a healthier and more vibrant community.”
The federal government is investing $9,800,000 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support the five projects. The Government of Ontario is investing $8,165,850 and the City of London is investing $6,534,150.
The stream Public Transit Infrastructure Stream supports the building, expansion, and upgrading of urban and rural transit networks.