Adelaide Street North Underpass

The City of London is reconstructing Adelaide Street North from Elias Street to 80m north of McMahen Street, as well as Central Avenue from William Street to Elizabeth Street. The project will add an underpass at the Canadian Pacific Rail (CPR) tracks, as well as provide nearby intersection improvements and active transportation connections, with wide multi-use paths on both sides of Adelaide Street North.

Improvements to this civic boulevard rail crossing will provide improved pedestrian, cyclist, and transit user amenities consistent with Complete Streets principles. This project will directly improve safety and reliability by eliminating the at-grade crossing, reduce cut-through traffic in nearby neighborhoods and improve active transportation and quality of life. There are also benefits associated with improving emergency service and transit reliability associated with the current at-grade crossing.

The City is planning to maintain two lanes of traffic during most of the construction period through a road detour to the east of Adelaide Street.

This project has received funding commitments from the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to support 10 transit and transit-supportive projects.

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A rendering of Adelaide Street looking south
A rendering of the Adelaide Street underpass looking south

Project update

Construction started in April 2022 and is anticipated to be finished in fall 2024,  with some planned carry-over work in summer 2025. 

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The location

Construction will take place along Adelaide Street North from Elias Street to 80m North of McMahen Street, as well as Central Avenue from William Street to Elizabeth Street and sections of the other side streets.

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Map of Adelaide Underpass project area

The work

This project will:

  • install a new grade separation with the road passing beneath the CP railway
  • add new active transportation connections, including a new multi-use path 
  • add new streetscaping and landscaping features, as well as enhanced lighting
  • replace existing underground infrastructure
  • install a new pump station for storm water runoff
  • realign CP Rail tracks

The benefits

Construction will result in:

  • an all-ages and abilities connection for pedestrians and cyclists between neighbourhoods north and south of the tracks where limited connections are currently available, with connection into McMahen Park
  • increased roadway safety by removing the potential for conflict between pedestrians, cyclists, commuters, and railway operations
  • Improved traffic flow by managing congestion, and provide route reliability for emergency services, local transit, and economic development, as well as reduce cut-through traffic in adjacent neighbourhoods
  • increased safety and efficiency of the Adelaide Street and Central Avenue intersection
  • new sewer infrastructure and a new utility corridor which will eliminate disruptive maintenance repairs
  • enhanced street lighting that will improve accessibility and overall street safety
  • the new McMahen Park entrance being elevated above Adelaide Street and separated from traffic
  • the addition of more trees that will create a more intimate park setting
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A rendering of McMahen Park looking north from the CP tracks
A rendering of McMahen Park along Adelaide Street looking north from the CP rail tracks. 

Timeline

Construction is planned to take place between 2022 and 2024 with finishing touches in 2025. Next steps related to this project are listed below:

  • Anticipated Construction start date: April 18, 2022
  • Construction update: April 18, 2022
  • Construction ends Summer 2025

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Last modified:Tuesday, April 09, 2024