Construction shuts down another key downtown link

It is day one of a three-week construction project in downtown London, and there are signs of driver confusion already.

It is day one of a three-week construction project in downtown London, and there are signs of driver confusion already.

At mid-day, a taxi is seen attempting to drive through a clearly marked construction site at the intersection of Dundas and Wellington streets. The confused cabbie is turned around by a construction worker onsite, who removes traffic cones to let the driver escape.

Welcome to Phase Three of the Downtown Loop for Bus Rapid Transit.

“It's been a disaster, said delivery driver Sean who stopped to pick up at package at the City Centre Towers at Dundas and Wellington. “The city, like you know, already, all the roads have been closed, and then there's no parking,” he lamented.

Dundas Street between Wellington and Waterloo has been closed until approximately July 5 for ongoing work on the downtown loop.

The work includes asphalt replacement, utility repairs, water main and sewer upgrades, and much more.

At Dundas Street restaurant Crabby Joes the outdoor patio is empty at lunchtime, as construction dust floats through the air and noise from heavy machinery permeates the downtown atmosphere. Sheila Lightfoot, one of the managers onsite, worries about diners being disinclined to eat at the establishment.