London, Ontario begins work on bus, cycling projects
London, Ontario, began construction April 5 on two projects that will enhance mobility for the city’s residents: The first phase of the Downtown Loop rapid transit project and the second phase of the Dundas Street-Thames Valley Parkway (TVP) Connection.
The Downtown Loop, Phase 1 will take place on King Street from Ridout Street North to Wellington Street. It is the first of London’s new rapid transit construction projects that will run buses in a loop around the downtown core. The project includes curbside bus-only lanes, enhanced rapid transit stops, new streetscape elements and other above ground transportation and transit improvements.
The project will also repair and replace aging sewers, watermains and underground infrastructure, which is included in the Phase 1 scope of work.
The areas of King Street undergoing construction as part of Phase 1 will shift as work progresses this year, with one lane of traffic being maintained between Ridout and Richmond at all times.
Work also began on Phase 2 of the Dundas Street-TVP Connection between the Kensington Bridge and Ridout Street.
The project is one of three cycling projects being built in London and it will create a new two-way protected bike lane on Dundas Street. The Dundas Street-TVP Connection is designed to improve the link for pedestrians and cyclists between the Thames Valley Parkway and downtown. Phase 1 of the project began in August 2020 with a new separated bike late on Riverside Drive west of Kensington Bridge completed in the fall. Phase 2 will extend the projected bike lane across Kensington Bridge into downtown to connect the Thames Valley Parkway and Dundas Place.
Both projects were part of a group of 10 transit and transit-supportive projects to secure both provincial and federal funding commitments in 2019.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
