A critical north-south artery in the Lambeth-area is closing for six months for a major overhaul.
Starting Wednesday, Colonel Talbot Road between Main Street and Pack Road will be closed for the first phase of the multi-year revamp project. The closure will remain in place until December, according to the city.
During this time, drivers and cyclists will be detoured around the work along Pack Road, Bostwick Road, and Wharncliffe Road South/Main Street. For pedestrians, there will be sidewalk closures and restrictions. Safe and accessible paths will be provided where possible, the city said. Signage will be erected to help guide those on foot around the temporary sidewalk restrictions.
Access to all properties and businesses in the area will be maintained throughout the closure and London Transit isn't expected to be affected by the work this year.
It is anticipated the Colonel Talbot Road Upgrade project will take three years to complete. Council approved the work earlier this month, which will transform the street from a 2-lane rural road with ditches and gravel shoulders to a 2-lane urban road connecting Talbot Village and Lambeth. The city deemed the work necessary to accommodate the growing population in the south-end. The upgrades will add new street lights, sidewalks, multi-use pathways, bike paths, and a pedestrian crosswalk at Diane Crescent.
Streetscaping features including trees, benches, and waste receptacles will also be added.
This year's work will focus on watermain and storm sewer construction, culvert replacements, and subdivision servicing. The city stated this work cannot be completed without a full road closure due to the limited width of the road.
Next spring, a shorter section of the road, between Clayton Walk and Pack Road, will be closed. A temporary road for two-way traffic will be constructed between Pack Road and Southdale Road. In summer 2026, surface asphalt and permanent pavement markings will be applied.
Residents in the area were notified by mail of the construction impacts for 2024. They will receive additional details about future work and traffic disruptions prior to the 2025 construction season.
