Western University students can expect to wait longer for a pedestrian scramble at one of the city’s busiest intersections, despite city politicians insisting that they are examining where exactly these crossings may be utilized in the future.
Photo Taken: Evan Frederiksen XFM News
The Philip Aziz Avenue, Western Road and Sarnia Road intersection continues to be a traffic pinch point, as upgrades are being stalled pending council discussion on whether the area can be included in the proposed future bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor.
Council’s protective and community services committee voted Monday to proceed with some of the improvements, including pedestrian signal head initiations, banning right-hand turns on red lights, an expanded southbound right-turn lane on Western Road, new cycling lanes, and improved sidewalks on Sarnia Road and Philip Aziz Avenue.
Western Road will also have the replacement of a water main replaced. But more significant improvements, like a pedestrian scramble, are on hold pending a BRT alignment decision.
The delay is frustrating for students who travel the intersection daily.
“I’ve noticed it more in the past year than ever before,” a second-year student said. “The commute to class has been awful. It honestly stresses me out having to deal with this intersection. We pay thousands in tuition and deserve an intersection that doesn’t add stress.”
Photo Taken: Evan Frederiksen XFM News
The student said they hope council acts promptly in an effective manner. “You would hope this would have been addressed for the welfare of all of our students, and it just hasn’t,” he said.
Council members have indicated that they are unable to proceed with higher-order upgrades until the council determines whether transit expansion will come through the area. In the meantime, students, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will continue to deal with one of London’s busiest and most congested intersections.
