Residents, commuters dig in for long haul as Boler Road undergoes major construction

Residents and commuters in Byron are bracing for a year-long headache as construction on Boler Road begins. CTV’s Bryan Bicknell reports.

Residents and commuters through Byron are being asked to dig in for a long haul. A projected year-long project to rebuild Boler Road got underway Monday.

“Construction has to be done. Everybody be complaining if it wasn’t done. So, we just have to live with it,” exclaimed Byron resident Paul Adair.

The 2.6 kilometre stretch of Boler Road from Commissioners Road West to Southdale Road West is getting a much-needed overhaul, according to the city of London.

The $6.59 million (including contingency) project is expected to last for at least one year, into the summer of 2027.

“This is a great opportunity to improve Boler all the way from Southdale to Commissioners. It’s being designed as an urban, community-focused road,” explained Jennie Dann, director of Construction and Infrastructure Services.

The city says planned improvements include a two-way cycle track separated from vehicle traffic, along with upgraded pedestrian crossings and traffic signals. There will also be improvements to transit stops to create better connections to sidewalks, making it easier for people to access public transit.

Boler Road homeowner Marian Ross says she understands the need for the construction, but she believes it could have been planned better.

“The emergency vehicles that go up and down here. They’re talking about narrowing the street, which is going to make it very difficult for people to get in and out. It’s already bad,” she said.

The most significant impact of the project is the full closure of Boler Road between Byron Baseline Road to Griffith Street until October 2026, which started Monday.

Danny Vuong, who owns Lucky’s Nails and Spa at the Corner of Boler Road and Byron Baseline Road, says the project makes him nervous about the potential loss of business.

“We will lose business, because now they have to come a long way. So instead of wasting extra time traveling to here, they might go somewhere else which is closer, right?” he said.

Vuong says he wishes the city could alternate lanes on Boler, leaving at least one open during for the duration of the project.

Residents along Boler also tell CTV News the road has been notorious for water main breaks. In fact, the city says the water pipes have reached the end of their lifespan, which is why the work needs to be done.

“This section along Boler where we have to close for watermain repairs, we’re doing a full watermain replacement,” said Dann. “We’ve seen 13 breaks in this aging infrastructure over the last few years, which is disruptive for the public.”

The city says detours will be in place, but local access for residents, businesses, and emergency services will be maintained throughout the project.

Drivers are asked to follow the signed detour route via Byron Baseline Road, Colonel Talbot Road, and Southdale Road West.