Bracing for Growth: Sunningdale Road's Expansion Plans in London, ON

London's northern boundary is buzzing with activity as development along Sunningdale Road gears up for significant changes. With new subdivisions popping up, the city is being pushed to upgrade its infrastructure, specifically in terms of road expansion and transit accessibility.

At the key intersection of Sunningdale Road and Wonderland Road, Corlon Properties has ambitious plans to transform 51 hectares of green space into 1,360 new living units. This development will offer a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family units, alongside commercial spaces and even plans for a new park and school. The first phase will reduce Sunningdale Golf Course’s 36 holes by six, with eventually 18 holes being taken over by the development.

For years, the widening of Sunningdale Road to four lanes and the addition of sidewalks between Wonderland and Richmond has been lingering in the city's pipeline— quite literally. The delay stems from an underground pipeline issue with Imperial Oil, especially at the Richmond Street intersection. However, recent talks between city officials and Imperial seem to offer hope for progress.

Traffic isn't the only concern; the lack of transit services is also a growing issue. Currently, the London Transit Commission's (LTC) offerings on Sunningdale Road are minimal, with no service between Richmond and Hyde Park Road, except for a short stretch. This is despite the completion of most subdivisions almost a decade ago. The LTC's last service plan doesn’t address this gap, but funds from the city's assessment growth might provide a future solution if the need for service expansion is validated.

The Planning Committee is set to discuss the proposed subdivision and related issues at an upcoming public meeting. If you're invested in the future of London's northern neighborhoods, it's high time to stay informed and involved.

Spring 2025 marks a significant milestone as the city plans to begin construction at Sunningdale Road and Richmond Street, subject to approvals. The initiative aims to expand the intersection from two lanes to four, adding new bike paths, pedestrian sidewalks, and turning lanes for improved traffic flow.

The project also includes upgrading underground infrastructure, such as storm sewers, and enhancing the overall aesthetics with new street lighting, traffic signals, and median islands. Tree assessment and landscape improvements are also on the agenda, ensuring the environment receives its deserved attention.

A virtual public update meeting has already been held, with project slides and recordings available for those interested in the finer details. An in-person drop-in session also provided an opportunity for residents to ask questions and gather information about the upcoming changes.