Western Road and Sarnia Road / Philip Aziz Avenue Intersection Improvements

Engagement opportunities:

Join us in person will allow those interested to view project updates, detailed designs, and urban design elements, and to learn more about construction plans.

• Date: Wednesday November 12, 2025
• Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Location: St Thomas More Catholic School, 18 Wychwood Park

About this project

The Mobility Master Plan recommends adding rapid transit on Western Road in the near term (2025–2035). The exact timing is uncertain since it depends on external funding. In the meantime, the City will move forward with interim improvements on Western Road and Sarnia Road to improve safety and manage costs.

Because safety for people walking, cycling, and using mobility devices is a top priority, several improvements are planned to begin in 2026, before Western Road is fully reconstructed as a rapid transit corridor.

Western Road (Platt’s Lane to Burnlea Walk)

• Extend the southbound right turn lane (from Western Road to Westbound Sarnia Road);
• Provide new in-boulevard cycling infrastructure from the north to south limits of the study area; and
• Watermain replacement from Platt’s Lane to Sarnia Road to address condition and provide additional capacity to support growth.

Sarnia Road (Sleightholme Avenue to Western Road)

• Provide new dedicated in-boulevard cycling lanes and wider pedestrian sidewalks from the east to west limits of the study area.

Philip Aziz Avenue (Western Road to Thames River)

• Provide a new urban roadway cross-section, including in-boulevard cycle lanes, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and a relocated entrance to 150 Philip Aziz Avenue.
• Provide new storm sewers on Philip Aziz Avenue with a new storm outfall to the Thames River; and,
• Installation of a Western University sanitary forcemain.

The planned improvements on Philip Aziz Avenue are being designed to support future intersection upgrades for rapid transit. As part of this work, new storm sewers will be installed to handle growth and improve drainage in the area. The first phase of this system will be built during the Philip Aziz Avenue project.

To reduce costs and limit traffic disruption, the full reconstruction of Western Road and Sarnia Road for new storm sewers will be delayed until the time comes to rebuild Western Road as a rapid transit corridor.

Western Road/Sarnia Road/Philip Aziz Avenue Intersection (see Figure 3)

• Provide protected intersection design elements to improve safety as well as, wider pedestrian crossings, enhanced pavement markings, improved illumination and larger pedestrian waiting areas;
• Provide improved connectivity for cycling lanes through the intersection,
• Reconstruct the intersection to suit adjacent road alignments, maintaining a single northbound left turn lane to Sarnia Road;
• Provide intersection improvements meeting current accessibility requirements; and,
• Further enhancements such as the use of a leading pedestrian signal phase, being piloted in other city locations, will be reviewed during detailed design.

Stormwater Drainage

• Provide new storm sewers on Western Road, Sarnia Road, Philip Aziz Avenue with a new stormwater outfall to the Thames River.

Current Status

Detailed design is underway, with construction on Philip Aziz Avenue and Western Road scheduled to begin in spring 2026. Most of the roadwork is expected to be completed in one construction season, with some finishing work planned for 2027. Construction staging will be coordinated with Western University.

The Sarnia Road walking and cycling improvements will be delivered under a separate contract, planned for completion in 2027, pending necessary property acquisition.

Traffic Management and Communications

A traffic management plan is being developed to balance mobility and access during construction while keeping the project on schedule and within budget. Anticipated impacts and mitigation measures include:

• Philip Aziz Avenue: Closed during construction. Access to Alumni Stadium will remain available via Huron Drive.
• Western Road (Platts Lane to Sarnia Road): Reduced to one lane in each direction during watermain construction.
• Western Road and Sarnia Road: Temporary lane reductions during intersection and cycling infrastructure work.
• Access: Homes and businesses will remain accessible throughout construction.
• Coordination: Work will be closely coordinated with Western University and London Transit Commission.

The traffic management plan will be communicated, monitored, and adjusted during construction based on traffic conditions.

Public Meetings

The first Public Information Session was held on December 1, 2021 to provide a progress update, share potential solutions for the area, present recommendation, collect feedback and discuss next steps. Watch a recording of the Public Information Centre or view a copy of the presentation to learn more.

The second Public Information Session occurred on Thursday June 23, 2022. Watch a recording of the Public Information Centre or view a copy of the presentation online.

Project Area

The project area includes Western Road from Platts Lane to Huron University College and Sarnia Road/Philip Aziz Avenue from Coombs Avenue east to the Thames River.