Highbury Avenue Improvements

[jammer139]

Work progressing on the Highbury Ave 401 overpass bridge deck with steel rebar going in ahead of a concrete pour. They are building the new lane on the west side of the current overpass. Not sure if they intend to do the same and add a lane on the east side next year or if this is it for widening.

[Djeffery]

I would think the goal is to do much like how they are doing the bridges on the 401 to the west of Highbury. Finish this bridge and approaches, move southbound traffic there, demolish and rebuild the western half the current structure, move northbound traffic to there and demolish and rebuild the eastern half. I would expect that this is as wide as it will go, to leave it 2 lanes each direction plus extended onramps, which currently are pretty short. But I haven't seen (or looked for) and plans of what this will ultimately look like, if there are any online.

It would be nice, as I think it was Haljackey that mentioned before, if the south to east and north to west onramps were separated from the traffic lanes so that they didn't have to stop at the lights, but I doubt they will have such forethought in doing this.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

It would be nice, as I think it was Haljackey that mentioned before, if the south to east and north to west onramps were separated from the traffic lanes so that they didn't have to stop at the lights, but I doubt they will have such forethought in doing this.

I recall the new structure will have 3 through lanes each way, but I can't seem to find it on the project website https://www.hwy401highbury.ca/detail_design.html#documentation

From what I remember seeing, the separation of the 401 ramps for Highbury SB is not part of the design. SB traffic on Highbury will still have a stoplight to contend with to access 401 EB. Boooooo

[jammer139]

They have poured the bridge deck on the new lane of the Highbury Ave overpass now. Still have alot of work on the approaches to do.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by jammer139

Still have alot of work on the approaches to do.

That's an understatement as I don't think they have done one single bit of work on the approaches to that new section of overpass yet. A lot of filling needs to go on the south side beside the inner loop ramp to the eastbound side. On the north side, I saw a pickup truck parked against the concrete abutment and you could easily stack 3 or 4 more trucks on top of it to reach the deck level. Not sure the timeline on this, but I don't imagine they intend to shift traffic over to this new bridge and start demolishing part of the existing one until next year.

[CanadianTalk]

There is always lots of discussion on these threads (and social media in general) about the perception of the city not always coordinating construction activities (ie: tearing a road for something, then coming back a few years later to rip it again for more work) ... so here is an example of the City actually being proactive.

The city was originally just going to install new curb + gutter, a new sidewalk, and northbound bike path on the east side of Highbury between Kilally and the Thames River... this is due to growth from the new Edgevalley subdivision on the east side. The east side of Highbury currently has gravel shoulders / rural ditches, while the west side has already had the curbing, sidewalk, and bike path for over 20 years.

The city will now be coordinating this project with other work... see below:

The road surface within the project area is in poor condition and requires a full depth asphalt replacement on all northbound and southbound lanes within the project limits. As the current scope would involve asphalt removal and replacement along the east edge of the roadway to facilitate the construction of new drainage curb and gutter, there are efficiencies in replacing the entire asphalt roadway at the same time.

Due to the required full depth asphalt replacement of the entire roadway within the project limits, Civic Administration also identified the need to replace the aging 400 mm cast iron watermain, originally installed in 1948–1949, which has reached the end of its service life.

Incorporating the watermain replacement and road rehabilitation into the existing sidewalk and cycle track project will:
• Eliminate redundant construction and reduce throwaway costs.
• Minimize traffic disruptions

The traffic signals will be replaced at the Highbury/Kilally intersection as well.

Construction is expected to start next year.

https://pub-london.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=117796

[jammer139]

They need to have this sign in flashing neon above the doorway into the traffic, engineering and planning department offices. And printed on the wallpaper and cubicles throughout the office. Probably should have it playing at a subliminal audio level as background white noise in the office as well.


• Eliminate redundant construction and reduce throwaway costs.
• Minimize traffic disruptions

[jammer139]

It's almost Nov now and they haven't done any work on the 401-Highbury overpass widening since they poured the extra lanes bridge deck in July.

[jammer139]

After nearly 6 months they have started work again on the widening of the Highbury Ave-401 overpass with forming for the concrete rail on the west side being done. Still no work has happened on the approaches along the west side of the overpass. Maybe they are waiting for the work on Highbury Ave north of the overpass to start?

[CanadianTalk]

Elgin County recently completed its Transportation Master Plan, which calls for the widening of their section of Highbury Avenue. Similarly, London’s recent plan also calls for the widening of Highbury. And obviously St.Thomas recently widened their section of Highbury last year.

Just for reference, Highbury technically runs through three different jurisdictions south of the 401. From the 401 to just south of Glanworth Drive is London, from south of Glanworth to Ron McNeil Line is Elgin County, and south of Ron McNeil Line is St. Thomas.

It looks like there are conversations happening behind the scenes to potentially upload Highbury (I assume south of the 401) back to the province.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/a-...d-ownership-of-highbury-ave-to-province/

‘A four-lane highway would be absolutely safer’: Discussion underway to upload ownership of Highbury Ave. to province

“The mayor of St. Thomas, myself, and the warden [of Elgin County] have gotten together and approached the province to ask if the province would have an interest in having this as an uploaded provincial asset,” said Josh Morgan, mayor of London, Ont.

Elgin-Middlesex London Member of Provincial Parliament Rob Flack told CTV News his government is prioritizing moving people safely.

His wish is for the province to take ownership of Highbury Avenue.

“I remember the Premier (Doug Ford) was here to take a look at the PowerCo site a couple of years ago in AMO was on in London,” said Flack.

“I purposely made us turn on to Highbury and he said, ‘You know, Rob, this is this is a tough highway’ and I said, ‘It’s only going to get worse.’”

...

Flack said he will continue to push his government to make the transfer happen in the months and years go come.

“I’ve talked to the Minister of Transportation, and it’s an ongoing discussion. We’ve got to make it a priority.”

[Djeffery]

They should take it back from Hamilton Rd, stick the Highway 126 signs back up and they can pay for the rehab the city has been putting off.

[jammer139]

It's long overdue for a twinning. Being one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the London region.

Can't happen soon enough.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

They should take it back from Hamilton Rd, stick the Highway 126 signs back up and they can pay for the rehab the city has been putting off.

The freeway part isn't connecting to the new development in St Thomas however. Why would the province want to pay for it?

However, other cities are pushing to get the province to take over their freeways. Toronto succeeded in getting the Gardiner/DVP uploaded, and Hamilton is pushing for the Linc and Red Hill. K/W already has the Conestoga Parkway and Hwy 8 in provincial hands.

That leaves only a few municipal freeways left. May as well upload them all, eh? If done maybe they can rebuild Highbury/401 AGAIN to make it free flowing? I know a pipe dream at this point lol

---

CTV story

https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/a-...d-ownership-of-highbury-ave-to-province/

[CanadianTalk]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

They should take it back from Hamilton Rd, stick the Highway 126 signs back up and they can pay for the rehab the city has been putting off.

Speaking of this project, it appears that the City will actually start construction on the Highbury rebuild (from the Thames River bridge to the 401), this year.

The news release from a couple weeks ago mentioned this project: https://london.ca/newsroom/feature/2025-construction-season-comes-end

And also, the tender application was posted by the City on their procurement platform last week: https://london.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/...ail/807cd43c-6f0e-42dd-8d35-77fbfce935d9

[CanadianTalk]

The City of London is planning to reconstruct Highbury Avenue South between the Thames River and Highway 401 in 2026 and 2027. This project will replace the roadway that has reached the end of its service life, as well as rehabilitate the Commissioners Road and Bradley Avenue bridges over Highbury Avenue South.

https://getinvolved.london.ca/highbury-south-rehab

Timeline

• 2026 - Northern portion (Thames River bridge to south of Commissioners Road East), including the Commissioners Road underpass.
• 2027 - Southern portion (south of Commissioners Road East to Highway 401), including Bradley Avenue underpass.

Highbury Avenue South (Proposed Work Details)

• Full reconstruction of the roadway with concrete/asphalt pavement;
• Addition of paved shoulders;
• Resurfacing of on- and off-ramps
• Street lighting upgrades;
• Reconstruction of traffic signals and accessibility improvements at the Commissioners Road East ramp intersections;
• Addition of a second northbound left-turn lane at the Commissioners Road East off-ramp;
• Phragmites treatment and removal;
• Replacement and upgrades to stormwater infrastructure; and
• Construction of earth berms for excess soil management.

Commissioners Road East and Bradley Avenue Structures (Proposed Work Details)

• Removal and replacement of the existing asphalt;
• Sidewalk and concrete structure repairs;
• Drainage improvements.

[MolsonExport]

Highbury is the rump-iest freeway in Ontario. That and Allan Road in North York.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by CanadianTalk

https://getinvolved.london.ca/highbury-south-rehab

From that link-

They think people will drive all the way to the VMP to detrour? Ya right- there are 3 closer routes to get back to Highbury

[Snark]

[QUOTE=haljackey;10558335]From that link-

They think people will drive all the way to the VMP to detrour? Ya right- there are 3 closer routes to get back to Highbury


And what do you think about what the taxpayers who live on those residential streets might feel about the traffic on their street increasing by a 5 or 10 factor? Kids crossing the school, Etc.

Don't ignore my challenge, respond with a coherent solution

[Djeffery]

He didn't say the people that live on that residential street in Summerside would like it, just that people would still go there. Jackson isn't really a residential street, and if someone is going to go to Old Victoria, they might as well stay on the 401 to VMP. But there will be many who aren't aware of the closure when they get off at Highbury, and for them cutting through Summerside is likely what they will do since it's first. Although I can see just as many going up Pond Mills, which is probably easier with the right turns.

The bottom end is going to be "easy" to deal with, it's the Commissioners to Hamilton stretch that is going to be the nightmare for people going every which way trying to get wherever with few choices across the river.

[haljackey]

Originally Posted by Snark

Don't ignore my challenge, respond with a coherent solution

Ya I get why the city is 'recommending' this detour to bypass these residential streets, but in reality it's going to be significantly faster to use these roads instead of VMP. I'm not sure why they chose VMP instead of Clarke but it doesn't really matter because no driver in their right mind would detour this far when alternatives are available.

Only way to enforce this would be to block access unless you live in the neighborhood or plan to visit someone? Set it up like a gated community or something... that would cost way too much to implement, so ya those living here will see a lot more traffic when ramps are closed.

I don't disagree, just stating reality. I expect Pond Mills / Devron will be busier as well.