Veterans Memorial Parkway

The Veterans Memorial Parkway (VMP) is a 9.2 km (5.7 mi) expressway located in London, Ontario. The expressway was previously known as Highway 100 from 1977 until 1994 and as Airport Road prior to September 2006.^[1] It is currently an at-grade, four-lane expressway. Long term plans / proposals for the route include north and south extensions of the road and grade separated interchanges along its entire length, converting it to a freeway.^[2]

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 city council's 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 (820 ft) wide right-of-way so additional lanes could be built in the future. As well, the road would be designated as Highway 100 and named Airport Road.

Construction began in early 1975, with its official opening in 1977. Upon completion, the highway was controversial since it was not built as a proper freeway. The road featured traffic lights instead of interchanges at intersections.

Also, since it was constructed as a two-lane highway initially, there was growing frustration with poor traffic flow and the inability for vehicles to pass. The Hanlon Parkway or Highway 6 North in Guelph, which was built around the same time, had similar features and controversies as Airport Road. Both had the same overpass contractors for their trumpet interchanges with Highway 401, and both were not full freeways.

The Ministry of Transportation downloaded the highway to the city of London and the County of Middlesex in 1994, but has maintained the road as a connecting link.

In 1997, the 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.^[3] The project included widening the road to a 4-lane, divided highway with room for future interchanges and overpasses, similar to that of the Hanlon Parkway. The widening was completed in late 2005.

In September 2006, the road was renamed Veterans Memorial Parkway as a tribute to Canadian Veterans (from World War I, World War II and the Korean War).^[4] It is also sometimes referred to as Veterans by locals.

During 2010, the VMP underwent a beautification project. This included a large gateway monument which was installed on the northbound lanes near the Highway 401 interchange, greeting motorists entering the expressway,^[5] planting trees along the entire length of the expressway,^[6] and raising flagpoles in tribute to Canadian veterans.^[7][8]

Future extensions, London Ring Road

London's original ring road was initially planned to be Highbury Avenue, also known as Highway 126, which was opened in 1963.^[9] Its exit with Highway 401 is the next one west of Veterans Memorial Parkway. Local opposition resulted in Highbury Avenue's truncation at Hamilton Road.^[10]

The City of London has short-term plans to extend Veterans Memorial Parkway to connect with Clarke Road near the Fanshawe Conservation Area. Also, extending Veterans Memorial Parkway south of Highway 401 to Highway 3 in St. Thomas remains a future possibility.

Widening the road between Oxford Street and Huron Street / Robin's Hill Road is also in the city's short term transportation objectives.^[11] An environmental study is underway to reconstruct the three-way trumpet interchange with Highway 401 into a four-way interchange that would connect the expressway to Wilton Grove Road and potentially as far south as St. Thomas.^[12][13]

In 2007, the City of London conducted an environmental assessment on potential interchange locations to be built along Veterans Memorial Parkway.^[14][15] These plans are within a 10-20 year time frame.

The City of London conducted a long-term transportation corridor protection study in 2001 and noted that the Veterans Memorial Parkway (then Airport Road) would serve as the city's eastern expressway when the city reaches its projected full build-out potential.^[16]

Long-term plans call for Veterans Memorial Parkway to be included as the eastern leg of a future London Ring Road. These proposals have been discussed since the 1960s and recently have been revived.^[17] The eastern corridor for a ring road would use Veterans Memorial Parkway 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 been developed. The only available route possible would be outside of the city in Middlesex Centre. 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 20–30 years.

Future interchanges

The City of London has assessed the entire length of the Veterans Memorial Parkway, identifying areas where interchanges can be constructed, grade separations can occur, and cul-de-sacs can be placed. Upon completion, the Veterans Memorial Parkway would no longer be an expressway, but a freeway, for the majority of its length.^[18]

References

External links

• Video of the Veterans Memorial Parkway between Highway 401 and Huron Street