| Airport Road, London, Ontario |
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Information AboutAirport Road, London, Ontario |
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HISTORY In the late 1960s, the highway was conceived by the Ontario government as a freeway bypass that would run along the eastern and northern parts of London. The road would connect to Highway 401 in the south and join up with Highway 402 in the west. This plan, however, never came to fruition due to reluctance to fund an urban freeway. Instead as a compromise, the City of London and the province decided that the proposed road would be constructed as a two-lane highway from Highway 401 north to Oxford Street. The design included a 250-metre wide right-of-way so additional lanes could be built in the future. As well, the road would be designated as Highway 100 . Contruction began in early 1975 , continuing until its official opening in 1977. Upon completion, the highway was controversial since it was not built as a proper freeway and had traffic lights instead of interchanges. During the 1980s and 1990s, new homes and many industries located on the lands adjacent to Airport Road. This created an increase in traffic volumes, leading to over capacity of the highway during rush hour. Because of this, there was growing frustration with the frequent traffic jams and the inhability for vehicles to pass. In 1997 , Airport Road was extended further north from Oxford to Huron Street. In 2004 , the City of London began to widen Airport Road from Highway 401 north to Oxford Street. The project included widening the road to a 4-lane, divided highway with room for future interchanges and overpasses. The widening was completed in late 2005 . Most of Airport Road has an 80 km/h (50 mph) speed limit. NAME CHANGE In October 2005 , the City of London announced that Airport Road will be renamed Veterans Memorial Parkway (not to be confused with Veterans Memorial Highway in The Same Province and Veterans Memorial Highway in Hawaii ) in honour of Canadian war veterans. The name change will likely take effect in early 2006 . FUTURE EXTENSIONS/ LONDON RING ROAD The City of London has short-term plans to extend Airport Road to connect with Clarke Road near the Fanshawe Conservation Area. This, however, will not likely happen until both funds and traffic warrant its construction. Long-term plans call for Airport Road to be included as the eastern leg of a future London Ring Road. These proposals have been discussed since the 1960's and, until recently, have been revived. The eastern corridor for a ring road would use Airport Road in the east, then continue north along Clarke Road. A western link would start at Highway 402 and head north between Westdel Bourne Road and Woodhull Road. The northern corridor is a major stumbling block since the lands needed within the city limits have either been developed or will be soon. The only available route possible would be outside of the city in Middlesex Centre , where it has been rejected. Although talks continue between both municipalities, only the province can approve the plan. Even if a route for the highway is selected soon, it would not likely be built for at least 20-30 years. LIST OF INTERSECTIONS † Exits are not officially numbered, and likely will never be unless upgraded to a full freeway. |
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