What’s being installed, officially
An Intersection Pedestrian Signal (IPS) is being installed in 2026 at the intersection of Highbury Avenue N and Townsend Drive, here in London, Ontario.
This IPS will have push buttons for pedestrians, and traffic signal lights for Highbury Avenue N only.
Although this was initially planned to start construction on July 20, 2026, an internal review was made and concluded that this project will be deferred.
This IPS project “will not begin until at least Clarke Rd bridge is reopened and traffic not being detoured via Highbury Ave.” according to the Traffic Engineering team at the City of London
This is according to a Senior Transportation Technologist and Traffic Signal and Street Light Technologist in the City of London’s Traffic Engineering Department who I asked, after canvassing Maple Ridge Estates (1430 Highbury Ave N) as a Candidate for Ward 3 City Council in London, Ontario and chatting with residents.
Table of Contents
How Intersection Pedestrian Signals Work
Intersection Pedestrian Signal (IPS), also known as a half signal, is a pedestrian signal configuration at intersections to improve accessibility and enhance the safety for pedestrians crossing busier streets (like Highbury Ave N) while reducing traffic delays for people driving.
IPS configurations can be installed at the intersection of a main street and a side street, where the signalized pedestrian crossing across the main street is activated by the push of a button.
Lane closures during construction
City of London Staff have conveyed the following information to me by email after I asked a few questions to City Staff on behalf of residents in the Maple Ridge Estates condos next to this intersection. Numerous residents expressed their concerns about left turns (southbound) our of the condo complex and were wondering about temporary traffic lights.
Sharing the response here so that Londoners can have an understanding of what will be happening once construction starts.
City of London’s Traffic Engineering Response
During construction, the contractor follows OTM Book 12 Temporary Conditions for typical layouts when lanes need reducing or closing. It is not typical practice to install temporary signals to facilitate left turns during construction.
It is expected that even with reduced lanes, gaps in traffic will allow vehicles to make the left turns. The gaps may not be as frequent as when the lanes are fully open, so drivers should expect a longer delay when looking to turn left. An alternative would be to make a right turn and navigate an alternate route to their destination. This may be the safest option as sometimes barrels and construction equipment can obscure views.
Due to the nature of the staging of how we build these intersections, lane closures will change throughout the day depending on where the contractor is working, however it is anticipated that there will always be 2 northbound lanes open since work can be carried out in the closed right turn and left turn lanes and the southbound lanes will only be restricted during the time the contractor is working on the west side. We can also request they limit the SB lane closures to off peak times whenever feasible. Please see very rough sketch of the lane closures anticipated. These closures may happen individually or as a combination of 2 and on some occasions maybe all 3 at the same time.
Initial Research
In the most recent Infrastructure Projects 2026 map, Highbury Avenue N at Townsend Drive is shown to have a full New Traffic Signal (aka a Stop Light) installed this year, not just a Pedestrian Crossover (aka PXO).
At least, this is what is many people (including myself) took away from this note on the legend on that very same map…
But in a June 9, 2025 Report to Community and Protective Services Committee, it was recommended to be a PXO / pedestrian signal.
So I did some further digging to figure out “which is it?”
City Council passed the motion on June 9, 2025 that would move the installation of a pedestrian signal that the intersection of Highbury Avenue N at Townsend Drive (amongst other items within the motion).
So that means that council passed a PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL, not a NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL. But what does “New Traffic Signal” mean?
Especially with this “traffic light” symbol right in the corner of this section of the legend?
Because, again, the current Infrastructure Projects 2026 map shows that there’s a New Traffic Signal going in at Highbury Avenue N at Townsend Drive. But it’s “officially” a pedestrian signal.
No wonder people are confused – I was, and I just spent an hour of my time finding all the pertinent documents and figuring out the trail of events… which haven’t led to any sort of clarity for me or residents. So, I reached out to City Staff.
Clarification from City Staff
So, on June 29, 2026 I reached out to City of London Staff to figure out the status of the intersection of Highbury Avenue N at Townsend Drive.
As per usual, City Staff were great and got back to me quite quickly the next day and now we have the clarification that you see at the top of this blog post.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Ben Durham’s contact info
Call or Text: 226-582-3470
Email: ben@bendurham.ca
Who is Ben Durham?
If you’ve read this far, I hope I was able to help you!
I’m Ben Durham and I’m running to be your next Ward 3 City Councillor. I live here in Ward 3 and have been advocate for years.
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