London city council has given the go-ahead for a $58 million Adelaide St. rail crossing underpass.
The decision will speed up the construction start at the CP Rail line by a decade, deputy mayor Paul Hubert asserted at the August meeting where the decision to move forward was made.
“Some out there may be saying they can do it faster. This council has done it faster,” he said. “The fact that this has been moved ahead 10 years cannot be lost on the public.”
Construction should begin in 2021. The London Free Press reports that CP would pick up 15 per cent of the project’s costs. The roadwork itself is estimated to cost $10.8 million, with the rail structure pegged at $9.8 million. Sewer work, utility relocation, property acquisition and a number of other costs make up the remainder.
Upwards of 17 properties may be affected, though mostly by only a small portion.
Council approved the decision unanimously, moving the project to the final environmental assessment stage, which requires a 30-day public review. After then, city staff can begin preparing for the work by acquiring property and requisitioning more detailed designs.