Additional information

Information about tree removal locations is currently being updated by the City as a result of the April 13 public meeting. New information will be posted as soon as it is available.

The previous public meeting held on March 30, 2023 for the Regent Street and Fraser Avenue Infrastructure Renewal Project identified 38 trees to be removed within the project limits. The City and Dillon Consulting Limited heard the concerns from local residents and have re-evaluated the strategy for identifying tree removals on this project. This strategy has resulted in an additional 16 trees, previously marked for removal, being maintained during construction. With these considerations 22 trees have been identified for removal prior to construction. 

Considerations for the Increased number of Maintained Trees During Construction Include:

• Alternative construction methods were considered to reduce impact to tree roots. Increased root and canopy pruning will be required for some trees;
• Non-standard construction methods and locations for sanitary and storm services
• Where possible, trenchless construction methods have been considered for the installation of water services to reduce the impact on adjacent tree roots;
• This project will be a pilot for evaluating removal criteria with the goal of maintaining as many trees as possible during construction. Given the associated impacts during construction their long term survival is not guaranteed;
• If any tree is identified as a Safety Risk prior to or during construction it will be removed for the protection of the workers and public 

The additional trees being preserved will still be impacted by construction and, as such, their long term survivability is not guaranteed. 

Extensive root and canopy pruning on some trees will be required for construction of the sewer and watermain infrastructure and services. The City’s Contractor will protect the trees to the extent possible during construction.

Anticipated tree removals are listed below and are subject to change. Only the trees noted as “removal is required” will be removed prior to construction, however any tree identified as a safety risk during construction will be removed for the protection of the workers and public.

Removal is required for a total of 8 small and 7 large trees on Regent Street at the following municipal numbers: 404, 406, 410, 412, 427, 440, 448, 451, 452, 454, as well as 1009 Maitland Street, and 1020 Colborne Street. In addition, 3 small trees and 9 large trees have been identified to have construction impacts which may effect their long term survival.

Removal is required for a total of 5 large trees on Fraser Avenue at the following municipal numbers: 1057, 1058, 1060, as well as 440 Regent Street, and 441 Huron Street. In addition, 2 small trees and 10 large trees have been identified to have construction impacts which may effect their long term survival.

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. It is possible that some of the properties on your street may have water services that are 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 website. If you want to know if 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 the water service from the property line to your house is your responsibility. If you decide to replace it, you would need to hire and pay for a licensed plumbing contractor to complete the work.  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. 7503, or skoshows@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 Private Drain Connections

The sanitary private drain connection (PDC) is the pipe that carries sanitary flow from your property to the City’s sanitary sewer system. Through this project, all existing sanitary PDCs will be renewed from the sanitary sewer main to a point approximately two meters behind the road curb. This existing sanitary PDC renewal is at no cost to you.

Storm Private Drain Connections

The storm private drain connection (PDC) is the pipe that carries water discharged from the sump pump or drain on your property to the City’s storm sewer system. Through this project, all existing storm PDCs will be renewed from the storm sewer main to a point approximately two meters behind the road curb. This existing storm PDC renewal is at no cost to you.

Basement Flooding

The City’s Basement Flooding Grant Program 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. 

The City has evaluated how pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and transit users will be impacted by the construction of this project. We have determined that the project will consist of a full road closure of Regent Street and Fraser Avenue (local traffic only), intermittent sidewalk closures and intersection closures at Regent Street and Colborne Street and at Fraser Avenue and Huron Street. Access to local businesses and residences will be maintained. A Construction Notice (letter 3) will be issued two weeks before construction starts with additional information.

Parking & Loading 

Private parking access may be impacted during certain periods of construction. Accommodations will be made where possible to facilitate access.