Western Road / Sarnia Road / Philip Aziz Avenue Corridor and Intersection Improvements

Above: A map showing the approximate project limits of the construction area. Work is planned on Western Road from Platt’s Lane to Burnlea Walk, Philip Aziz Avenue from Western Road to Thames River, and Sarnia Road from Sleightholme Avenue to Western Road.

Western Road (2026)

• Extend the right-turn lane from Western Road to westbound Sarnia Road
• Add new in-boulevard cycling lanes along the east side of the road
• Replace the watermain from Platt’s Lane to Sarnia Road to improve capacity and reliability

Philip Aziz Avenue (2026)

• Rebuild the road with new cycle lanes, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters
• Relocate the entrance to 150 Philip Aziz Avenue
• Install new storm sewers with a new outlet to the Thames River
• Add a new Western University sanitary forcemain

Western Road and Sarnia Road / Philip Aziz Avenue Intersection (2026)

• Provide wider pedestrian crossings with larger waiting areas
• Include new cycling connections
• Add “leading pedestrian intervals” and restrict turns on red to make crossing safer for pedestrians

Sarnia Road (2027)

• Add new in-boulevard cycling lanes and wider sidewalks between Western Road and Sleightholme Avenue

Project history and consultation:

The City of London began planning this project in 2015 with an Environmental Assessment (EA) study and a Public Information Centre to share early ideas and gather feedback.

In 2016, the project was paused while the City explored rapid transit route options in the area. Once the northern rapid transit routes were deferred in 2021, the City was able to restart work on this project.

A virtual webinar was held on December 1, 2021, to share information about existing conditions, possible design options, and the recommended solution. Another virtual meeting took place in June 2022, where the City presented updated designs, discussed potential environmental impacts, and explained how those impacts would be managed.

The final Environmental Study Report (ESR) was completed and made available for public review from June 1 to July 5, 2023. Detailed design followed shortly after the completion and approval of the Environmental Assessment.

Since the start of the design phase, the Mobility Master Plan has recommended adding a rapid transit corridor on Western Road in the near future.

To support this, City staff reviewed the earlier Environmental Assessment for Western Road and the Sarnia Road/Philip Aziz Avenue corridor to look for ways to make smaller, cost-effective improvements in the meantime. These updates focus on safety for people walking, cycling, and using transit, while keeping costs and traffic disruptions as low as possible.