Delays building BRT add new detours downtown
When it is finished, London, Ont.’s bus rapid transit (BRT) will speed up commutes, but for now the growing maze of downtown detours is fueling frustration.
“There is no such thing as bus schedules with all this construction!” says bus passenger Sherri Fraser. “I give myself an hour and 15 minutes so I can get to work early, but the unpredictability makes it all the more difficult.”
Next week, navigating the core will get even more difficult when the intersection at Talbot Street and Queens Avenue closes.
The city decided to begin work on the intersection in order to compensate for delays experienced building other segments of the rapid transit system in the area.
City of London Director of Construction and Infrastructure Jennie Dann describes the network of century-old pipes and utilities discovered during excavation in the area as “spaghetti.”
A map of closures in downtown London, Ont. starting Oct. 3, 2022. (Source: City of London)
“There are sections that have run into some challenges,” Dann explains. “We've been able to pivot and adjust with the changes we're making now, bringing some sections forward.”
London Transit warns the closure will impact 19 of its bus routes.
“With that additional amount of traffic and buses all utilizing Richmond, that is likely to result in delays which will mean further schedule adherence issues,” says London Transit Commission General Manager Kelly Paleczny.
Closing the intersection will block traffic in both directions on Talbot, and detour westbound drivers to either York or Horton.
“We are really pushing forward with the work on Ridout Street, so we hope to have that opening up closer to Halloween,” adds Dann. “There is a little bit of an overlap [with Talbot and Queens] and we really appreciate Londoners patience.”
The intersection closes on Oct. 3 and is anticipated to reopen in mid-December.
London Transit recommends utilizing real-time bus schedule information on its website.
Paleczny explains that adding extra buses to impacted routes isn’t possible because of an ongoing shortage of bus drivers.
“We would normally add ‘tripper buses’ to help alleviate the crowding and scheduling on our busier routes, but given our restrictions with respect to resources, we just aren't able to do that this year,” she says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.