Project details

During a project’s design, staff from the City of London’s engineering, forestry, and construction administration divisions, along with the project engineer and arborist, walk the site to determine the current health of the trees and determine how to best install infrastructure while minimizing impacts to trees and structures. A total of 23 trees were assessed within the project limits.

After careful assessment, it was determined that there are trees within the City right-of-way that need to be removed for health reasons or due to construction conflicts. Anticipated tree removals are listed below and are subject to change. Drawings showing the tree removal locations will be available for viewing at the project update meeting and will be available on the project website following the meeting.

Tree size has been grouped into two categories: small trees with a diameter less than 12 inches / 30 cm and large trees with a diameter greater than 12 inches / 30 cm. 

• Removal is required for a total of 2 small trees and 4 large trees on Paul Street.

The trees will be marked with a white line around their trunk one week before removal. The required tree removals will be completed by March 31, before the migratory bird nesting period begins.

Tree assessment findings

Tree replacement

When projects are completed, the City evaluates replacement and additional new tree planting opportunities on these streets. Each project is unique, and our approach to tree replacement is tailored to the context of the area we’re working with. Tree plantings typically occur once the projects 1 year construction warranty is completed.  

Each year, the City of London plants approximately 5,000 trees to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide shade and lower temperatures reducing energy costs at homes. Trees also help absorb heavy rainfall and reduce stormwater flows. 

Parking and loading 

Upon completion of the project, on-street parking on Paul Street will resume on the south side of the street. 

Driveway widening permits 

If you're considering widening your residential driveway to accommodate more vehicles or enhance maneuverability, kindly contact streetpermit@london.ca for an application. It's essential to ensure that the widening of your driveway does not affect other utilities or municipal functions, including trees, bus shelters, street signs, hydro poles, telephone poles, cable or phone boxes, storm drains, fire hydrants, mailboxes, or other municipal infrastructure. 

In London, the maximum width allowed for any residential driveway is 50% of the lot frontage, up to a maximum of 8 metres (26.3 feet), whichever is less. The width of the driveway is measured parallel to the street at the street line. Additionally, no lot should have more than two driveways for the first 30 metres (98.7 feet) of the street line. The minimum driveway width permitted is 2.7 metres (8.8 feet). 

To learn about permits for widening driveways and other common homeowner projects (london.ca/living-london/building-renovating/common-homeowner-projects), please consult the City of London’s website.

Dust, noise, and vibrations

You may experience dust, noise, service interruptions and other inconveniences during construction. Construction equipment can also cause vibrations, so please ensure you protect any valuables susceptible to damage.

Work hours

Work will typically take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. If needed, some after-hours work may be required to accommodate the completion of the project within the established schedule and to minimize impacts of construction. The project team will notify residents, businesses, and property owners ahead of any overnight, after-hours, or weekend work.

Watermain

The City will be replacing the watermain under your street and will also be replacing the public portion of the existing individual water services from the watermain up to the property line as part of this project, at no cost to you. The water service is the pipe that brings water into your home. The public portion of the water service runs from the public watermain to the property line in front of your home, and the private portion runs from the property line to the water meter inside your home. 

Some of the properties on your street may have water services made of galvanized iron, which can corrode over time and restrict water flow. Other properties may have water services made of lead. For information on the health risks associated with lead, please visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit (healthunit.com/environment-lead) website. If you want to know whether you have a lead water service pipe, please contact 519-661-4739 or leadtesting@london.ca. If you have a lead water service pipe, the portion of water service from the property line to your house is your responsibility. A licensed plumbing contractor is required to complete lead pipe replacement. 

If you choose to hire a contractor to replace the private portion of the lead water service on your property, you may be eligible to have your payments spread out over 10 years under the City's Lead Service Replacement Loan Program. Please contact 519-661-CITY (2489) Ext. 5357, or mharriso@london.ca for additional program details.

Electrical grounding 

Water service pipes were often used to ground electrical systems, but connections can deteriorate over time and pose a serious safety risk. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure the grounding system is adequate. This may be a good time for you to hire an electrician, at your cost, to check the condition of your building’s electrical ground. 

Sanitary and Storm private drain connections (PDC)

A PDC (Property Drain Connection) is the pipe that connects your property to the City’s sewer system. The sanitary PDC carries wastewater from sinks, toilets, and drains to the City’s sanitary sewer. The storm PDC carries rainwater and melted snow to the City’s storm sewer.

As part of this project, the City will partially renew all existing sanitary and storm PDCs from the sewer mains to about two meters behind the road curb. The exact endpoint may vary depending on underground or aboveground obstacles, such as gas lines, internet cables, or trees. This partial renewal is provided at no cost to you.

For more information on PDCs and your overall service laterals, see the included brochure. It explains property owner responsibilities for the overall service laterals and options to renew your PDCs beyond the project’s partial renewal. Additional renewal is the responsibility of the property owner and is to be undertaken outside of the City project.

Basement flooding

The City of London’s Basement Flooding Grant Program (london.ca/BFGP) is designed to provide financial assistance to property owners to disconnect their weeping tiles from the City’s sewer systems and to install a sump pit, sump pump and backwater valve. By doing this, you may decrease risk of basement flooding on your property.