Londoners are getting their first look at lane designs for the city's 24 km bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
City staff took the wraps off of the recommended dedicated-lane design refinements for the $500-million project on Monday. The reveal came just two days before the first of five public meetings throughout the city to showcase the detailed maps and renderings.
The recommendation likely to spark the biggest controversy is on Richmond St. between Central Ave. and University Dr. Engineers are pushing for the road to remain four lanes, with the two centre lanes devoted solely to BRT. That would condense vehicle traffic to one lane in each direction, potentially slowing what is already a congested artery during the morning and afternoon commutes. The decision eliminates the bulk of the required road widening on Richmond St., limiting it to 1.15 metres on either side.
Wellington Rd., the south corridor, would get two new lanes to become a six-lane street. The two centre lanes of Wellington would be dedicated to buses, while the remaining four lanes would be for all other vehicles. Oxford St. West would also be widened to six lanes, BRT would again run down the two centre lanes.
The only curbside BRT lane is on King St. in the downtown.
Existing terminals at Fanshawe College and Masonville Place will be expanded to allow for easy transfers to regular LTC routes. The Masonville Place terminal will also become a turnaround for buses on the north corridor.
While BRT terminals will all be equipped with similar colours, good lighting, real-time bus information, seating, and public art, each will be designed to blend into its respective neighbourhood. There is also a tentative plan for a park-and-ride facility near Wellington Rd. and Hwy. 401 for people heading downtown.
All of the recommended designs still have to be approved by city council. Politicians will vote on them in April with shovels scheduled to hit the ground in 2019/2020.
BRT open houses being held this week:
- February 28, Central Library at 251 Dundas St. 11am to 2pm, Presentation at 12pm.
- February 28, Oakridge Secondary School at 1040 Oxford St. W., 5:30pm to 8:30pm, Presentation at 6:30pm.
- March 1, Western University's London Hall at 1140 Western Rd., 5pm to 8pm 5, Presentation at 6pm.
- March 3, Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church at 1 Frank Pl., 9am to 12pm, Presentation at 10am.
- March 3, Fanshawe College's H1013 Cafeteria, 3pm to 6pm, Presentation at 4 pm.
