No more train trauma for Adelaide Street commuters
London, Ont. is a city of rivers and rail, and they are no friends to commuters.
Now those commuters are getting a little relief from some of the train trauma.
A turning point came at 10:18 a.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024; The last time rail crossing arms were dropped down to stop traffic on Adelaide Street North near Central Avenue.
One of the last people caught in traffic waiting for a train at that location was David Saunders.
"Wow, that's amazing. I can't believe that,” Saunders told CTV News after stepping out of his vehicle during the lengthy delay. “I've been in this city for almost 20 years and I've been stopped for many trains and this is one of the last times. That's fascinating."
As Saunders and others were waiting in the northbound lanes, southbound traffic was paraded through the new Adelaide Street rail underpass; led by members of the construction team. Many people honked their horns in an apparent tribute to the workers.
While some became the first to use the underpass, others became the last to deal with a train delay at the notorious crossing on April 19, 2024. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
Jennie Dann, London’s director of Construction and Infrastructure, was on site as the underpass was opened, "The wow factor is certainly with the underpass itself but even our first year of construction we had a full year of work to do in preparation before we could even start excavating the main structure."
Anyone not from London may question why an underpass would generate so much interest. The challenge was that the crossing is adjacent to the CPKC rail yard in London and train shunting caused repeated and unpredictable delays on Adelaide Street.
"We're really glad that we can go out onto Adelaide and just zip down,” said Richard. He lives on Lorne Avenue, not far from the construction site. He would drop by during daily walks, getting ongoing updates and lessons about the project from construction crews. “I thought it was just an underpass, dig a hole, build it, and go underneath."
Richard found out it was much more than that, learning about the challenges of pumping water out of below-grade roadways, along with getting an understanding of how sewer, water, and communication lines had to be handled.
One lane of traffic in each direction is now open, passing under the CPKC rail line going over Adelaide Street, seen on April 19, 2024. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
The project came in at $87 million, with $11 million coming from the feds and the province. Dann said one of the goals was to ensure the underpass wasn't just built for cars, "It will benefit Londoners whether you walk, bike, take transit, or drive. We're really excited about the way it's going to connect the neighbourhood."
The underpass currently has one lane of traffic heading in each direction, but City of London Construction Project Manager Max Kireev said crews will continue to work toward their ultimate goal, "…to have the two lanes of traffic in each direction a little later this summer, closer to the fall of this year. I want to say probably closer to the end of October you will see four lanes going under."
There are also plans for seating areas, planter boxes, and connections to nearby McMahen Park.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.