London’s busiest Western-Sarnia intersection will get safety upgrades, but the planned pedestrian scramble crossing has been scrapped.
Major Intersection to Undergo Changes
The intersection of Western Road, Sarnia Road, and Phillip Aziz Avenue in London—one of the city’s busiest—is slated for improvements. Located at the western edge of Western University, the intersection sees about 64,000 cars and buses each day. Pedestrian traffic is also high, with recent counts showing 6,740 north-south crossings and 5,070 east-west crossings daily.
Pedestrian Scramble Crossing Scrapped
City planners initially proposed a pedestrian scramble, which would allow people to cross diagonally at certain times. The idea, first suggested in 2023 and strongly supported by Western University’s Student Council, has now been removed from plans.
Reasons Behind the Decision
City staff cited multiple factors against the scramble:
- Traffic delays: Extra red light cycles could add nearly four minutes in the morning and up to six minutes in the afternoon for drivers.
- Intersection size: At roughly 47 metres diagonally, the crossing is twice as long as typical scrambles, requiring longer pedestrian phases.
- Pedestrian volume: Peak hourly counts—850 in the morning, 1,592 midday, and 1,779 in the afternoon—fall below the 2,000-per-hour threshold used in other cities to justify a scramble.
Students Divided on Safety Measures
Student opinions on the potential scramble were mixed. Kate Corcoran supported it, saying, “Cars are a little crazy… it would be useful for students.” Luke Levesque, however, worried it could confuse drivers, saying, “Our drivers are already poor enough… we need to simplify the roads.”
The Student Council expressed disappointment but acknowledged the low pedestrian numbers. “As populations grow around this intersection, and mobility patterns evolve, the USC would hope to facilitate future consultations regarding the safest option for our community,” they said.
Alternative Improvements Proposed
Instead of a scramble, city staff recommend:
- Expanding bike lanes
- Implementing a no-right-on-red rule
- Giving pedestrians a head start before traffic begins moving
Ward 6 Councillor Sam Trosow criticized the staff report for not citing studies or criteria to justify the decision. He also warned that some improvements might be delayed because of the planned Bus Rapid Transit expansion along Western Road.
Council to Vote on the Plan
London City Council will review and vote on the proposed intersection improvements at its next meeting on Tuesday, September 23. Residents and students are encouraged to monitor the meeting as the city seeks a balance between traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
