Colonel Talbot Road north of Lambeth closes until December

A critical north-south thoroughfare in the Lambeth area is closing for six months for a major overhaul.

Starting Wednesday, Colonel Talbot Road between Main Street and Pack Road will be closed for the first phase of the multi-year renovation project. The closure will remain in effect until December, according to the city.

During this time motorists and cyclists will be detoured around the work along Pack Road, Bostwick Road and Wharncliffe Road South/Main Street. There will be sidewalk closures and restrictions for pedestrians. Safe and accessible paths will be provided where possible, the city said. Signage will be erected to assist pedestrians around the temporary pavement restrictions.

Access to all properties and businesses in the area will be maintained throughout the closure and London Transit is not expected to be affected by the works this year.

The Colonel Talbot Road upgrade project is expected to take three years. The council approved the work earlier this month, which will transform the street from a 2-lane rural road with ditches and gravel shoulder to a 2-lane urban road linking Talbot Village and Lambeth. The city felt the work was necessary to accommodate the growing population on the south side. The upgrades will add new street lights, sidewalks, multi-use paths, bike lanes and a pedestrian crossing at Diane Crescent.

Streetscape features will also be added, including trees, benches and waste receptacles.

This year’s work will focus on sewer and storm sewer construction, culvert replacement and subdivision maintenance. The city stated that this work cannot be completed without a full road closure due to the limited road width.

Next spring, a shorter stretch of road between Clayton Walk and Pack Road will be closed. A temporary two-way road will be constructed between Pack Road and Southdale Road. In the summer of 2026, surface asphalt and permanent pavement markings will be applied.

Area residents have been notified by mail of construction impacts for 2024. They will receive additional details about upcoming work and traffic disruptions prior to the 2025 construction season.