Frustrated London, Ont. motorists will soon have a new way around construction and congestion in the city’s south end. CTV News has learned the Bradley Avenue extension will open early next month. Jennie Dann, director of Construction and Infrastructure, says they’re planning the opening for the week of Nov. 9. As one passing motorist yelled, “Finally, traffic relief!” Construction crews were seen working to meet the two-week deadline. Everything from light standards to trees are being installed – quickly – along the stretch from White Oak Road to Wharncliffe Road. While final touches, including resurfacing, won’t take place until spring, Dann said the span is set to reshape traffic patterns and relieve some pressure on backed-up BRT construction corridors. “By opening up a new link like this, it’s going to adjust how people move. It can take some pressure off some of those parallel corridors. And so, it’s going to be great for traffic in the southwest,” said Dann. It’s also great for those living in the adjacent Copperfield subdivision. For years, they have put up with traffic cutting through to get further west. “People are driving way too fast. And you know, using the roundabouts and cutting through. It’s all the time,” said resident Dave Clark. With the extension in place, he anticipates a safer neighbourhood. Still, closer to the roadway, some point to a history of crashes and speeding along Bradley, just east of the new stretch. They fear the new traffic lights will be a starting cue for street racers. “Because once the lights turn green, it’s like, ‘Go!’” expressed Jim Matesic, the operator of White Oaks Collision. He added, “If the speeds pick up, and once the road gets slippery, there is really nothing to stop them from losing control and coming into our building, possibly.” The city says it will study traffic patterns, speed, and safety before the official opening in the spring. For now, the speed limit is set at 60 kilometres per hour. Dann said the $21 million project remains on schedule and on budget, even though project costs have climbed in the decades since it was originally planned. It’s expected 25,000 vehicles will use the span each day.
