Months-long Richmond lane reduction nears end in London

Life is about to return to normal on Londons RichmondSt.N., where construction of a $55-million apartment building has impeded drivers and pedestrians for half a year.

Construction of the 19-storey apartment tower, on a narrow site, saw the contractor close and use the westerly, southbound lanes since early last summer.

The roadway occupation was expected to end in November, before the snow flew, but that was extended because of delays.

The road should be reopened to four lanes by the end of next week as long as the weather co-operates, said Doug MacRae, the citys manager of transportation planning.

Occupying city roadways doesnt come without cost for developers: Depriving drivers of the 7,000 sq. ft. of asphalt came to about $12,000.

Application and processing fees added another $400, on top of the building permit fees of more than $200,000.

Every effort is made to reduce and minimize impacts and disruption to the public, said Lou Pompilii, of city halls building compliance division.

The nature of this development and site restricts construction access to the front.

The developer, he noted, also had to:

London Hydro will be able to remove old utility poles to allow the closed portion of the road to reopen after Rogers moves cables from the old poles to new ones Jan.15, said Hydro spokesperson Nancy Hutton.

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Months-long Richmond lane reduction nears end in London