Veterans Memorial Parkway
Encyclopedia
The Veterans Memorial Parkway (VMP) is a 9.2 km (5.7 mi) expressway
located in London, Ontario
. The expressway was previously known as Highway 100 from 1977 until 1994 and as Airport Road prior to September 2006. It is currently an at-grade, four-lane expressway. Long term plans / proposals for the route include north and south extensions of the road and grade separated
interchanges
along its entire length, converting it to a freeway.
government as a freeway bypass that would run along the eastern and northern parts of London. The road would connect to Highway 401 in the south and join up with Highway 402 in the west. This plan, however, never came to fruition due to city council's reluctance to fund an urban freeway.
Instead as a compromise, the City of London and the province decided that the proposed road would be constructed as a two-lane highway from Highway 401 north to Oxford Street. The design included a 250-metre (820 ft) wide right-of-way so additional lanes could be built in the future. As well, the road would be designated as Highway 100 and named Airport Road.
Construction began in early 1975, with its official opening in 1977. Upon completion, the highway was controversial since it was not built as a proper freeway. The road featured traffic lights instead of interchanges at intersections.
Also, since it was constructed as a two-lane highway initially, there was growing frustration with poor traffic flow and the inability for vehicles to pass. The Hanlon Parkway
or Highway 6 North in Guelph, which was built around the same time, had similar features and controversies as Airport Road. Both had the same overpass contractors for their trumpet interchanges with Highway 401, and both were not full freeways.
The Ministry of Transportation
downloaded the highway to the city of London and the County of Middlesex in 1994, but has maintained the road as a connecting link
.
In 1997, the road was extended further north from Oxford to Huron Street.
In 2004, the City of London began to widen Airport Road from Highway 401 north to Oxford Street. The project included widening the road to a 4-lane, divided highway with room for future interchanges and overpasses, similar to that of the Hanlon Parkway
. The widening was completed in late 2005.
In September 2006, the road was renamed Veterans Memorial Parkway as a tribute to Canadian Veterans (from World War I
, World War II
and the Korean War
). It is also sometimes referred to as Veterans by locals.
During 2010, the VMP underwent a beautification project. This included a large gateway monument which was installed on the northbound lanes near the Highway 401 interchange, greeting motorists entering the expressway, planting trees along the entire length of the expressway, and raising flagpoles in tribute to Canadian veterans.
, also known as Highway 126, which was opened in 1963. Its exit with Highway 401 is the next one west of Veterans Memorial Parkway. Local opposition resulted in Highbury Avenue's truncation at Hamilton Road.
The City of London has short-term plans to extend Veterans Memorial Parkway to connect with Clarke Road near the Fanshawe Conservation Area
. Also, extending Veterans Memorial Parkway south of Highway 401 to Highway 3
in St. Thomas
remains a future possibility. Widening the road between Oxford Street and Huron Street / Robin's Hill Road is also in the city's short term transportation objectives. An environmental study is underway to reconstruct the three-way trumpet interchange with Highway 401 into a four-way interchange that would connect the expressway to Wilton Grove Road and potentially as far south as St. Thomas.
In 2007, the City of London conducted an environmental assessment on potential interchange locations to be built along Veterans Memorial Parkway. These plans are within a 10-20 year time frame.
The City of London conducted a long-term transportation corridor protection study in 2001 and noted that the Veterans Memorial Parkway (then Airport Road) would serve as the city's eastern expressway when the city reaches its projected full build-out
potential.
Long-term plans call for Veterans Memorial Parkway to be included as the eastern leg of a future London Ring Road. These proposals have been discussed since the 1960s and recently have been revived. The eastern corridor for a ring road would use Veterans Memorial Parkway in the east, then continue north along Clarke Road. A western link would start at Highway 402 and head north between Westdel Bourne Road and Woodhull Road.
The northern corridor is a major stumbling block since the lands needed within the city limits have been developed. The only available route possible would be outside of the city in Middlesex Centre. Although talks continue between both municipalities, only the province can approve the plan.
Even if a route for the highway is selected soon, it would not likely be built for 20–30 years.
s can be placed. Upon completion, the Veterans Memorial Parkway would no longer be an expressway, but a freeway, for the majority of its length.
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
located in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. The expressway was previously known as Highway 100 from 1977 until 1994 and as Airport Road prior to September 2006. It is currently an at-grade, four-lane expressway. Long term plans / proposals for the route include north and south extensions of the road and grade separated
Grade separation
Grade separation is the method of aligning a junction of two or more transport axes at different heights so that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes when they cross each other. The composition of such transport axes does not have to be uniform; it can consist of a...
interchanges
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
along its entire length, converting it to a freeway.
History
In the late 1960s, the highway was conceived by the OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
government as a freeway bypass that would run along the eastern and northern parts of London. The road would connect to Highway 401 in the south and join up with Highway 402 in the west. This plan, however, never came to fruition due to city council's reluctance to fund an urban freeway.
Instead as a compromise, the City of London and the province decided that the proposed road would be constructed as a two-lane highway from Highway 401 north to Oxford Street. The design included a 250-metre (820 ft) wide right-of-way so additional lanes could be built in the future. As well, the road would be designated as Highway 100 and named Airport Road.
Construction began in early 1975, with its official opening in 1977. Upon completion, the highway was controversial since it was not built as a proper freeway. The road featured traffic lights instead of interchanges at intersections.
Also, since it was constructed as a two-lane highway initially, there was growing frustration with poor traffic flow and the inability for vehicles to pass. The Hanlon Parkway
Hanlon Parkway
The Hanlon Parkway is a high-capacity at-grade suburban expressway in the city of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, which connects it with Highway 401. It runs in a general north-south direction in the city's west end. It is signed as Highway 6 for its whole length; from Wellington Street to Woodlawn Road,...
or Highway 6 North in Guelph, which was built around the same time, had similar features and controversies as Airport Road. Both had the same overpass contractors for their trumpet interchanges with Highway 401, and both were not full freeways.
The Ministry of Transportation
Ministry of Transportation (Ontario)
The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario is the provincial ministry of the government of Ontario which is responsible for transport infrastructure and related law in Ontario. The ministry traces its roots back over a century to the 1890s, when the province began training Provincial Road Building...
downloaded the highway to the city of London and the County of Middlesex in 1994, but has maintained the road as a connecting link
Connecting Link
The Connecting Link program is a provincial subsidy provided to municipalities to assist with road construction, maintenance and repairs in the Canadian province of Ontario. Roads which are designated as connecting links form the portions of provincial highways through built-up communities which...
.
In 1997, the road was extended further north from Oxford to Huron Street.
In 2004, the City of London began to widen Airport Road from Highway 401 north to Oxford Street. The project included widening the road to a 4-lane, divided highway with room for future interchanges and overpasses, similar to that of the Hanlon Parkway
Hanlon Parkway
The Hanlon Parkway is a high-capacity at-grade suburban expressway in the city of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, which connects it with Highway 401. It runs in a general north-south direction in the city's west end. It is signed as Highway 6 for its whole length; from Wellington Street to Woodlawn Road,...
. The widening was completed in late 2005.
In September 2006, the road was renamed Veterans Memorial Parkway as a tribute to Canadian Veterans (from World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
). It is also sometimes referred to as Veterans by locals.
During 2010, the VMP underwent a beautification project. This included a large gateway monument which was installed on the northbound lanes near the Highway 401 interchange, greeting motorists entering the expressway, planting trees along the entire length of the expressway, and raising flagpoles in tribute to Canadian veterans.
Future extensions, London Ring Road
London's original ring road was initially planned to be Highbury AvenueHighbury Avenue
Highbury Avenue begins at South Edgeware Road in St. Thomas where it proceeds north as a two lane highway until Wilton Grove Road in London...
, also known as Highway 126, which was opened in 1963. Its exit with Highway 401 is the next one west of Veterans Memorial Parkway. Local opposition resulted in Highbury Avenue's truncation at Hamilton Road.
The City of London has short-term plans to extend Veterans Memorial Parkway to connect with Clarke Road near the Fanshawe Conservation Area
Fanshawe Dam
Fanshawe Dam is a dam located on the eastern edge of London, Ontario. The crest of the dam is 625 metres long. It is 30.5 metres in height and drops the river surface 12 metres...
. Also, extending Veterans Memorial Parkway south of Highway 401 to Highway 3
Highway 3 (Ontario)
King's Highway 3, commonly referred to as Highway 3 and historically as the Talbot Trail, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario which travels parallel to the shore of Lake Erie. It has three segments, the first of which runs from the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor...
in St. Thomas
St. Thomas, Ontario
St. Thomas is a city in southern , Ontario, Canada. It is the seat for Elgin County and gained its city charter on March 4, 1881.-History:...
remains a future possibility. Widening the road between Oxford Street and Huron Street / Robin's Hill Road is also in the city's short term transportation objectives. An environmental study is underway to reconstruct the three-way trumpet interchange with Highway 401 into a four-way interchange that would connect the expressway to Wilton Grove Road and potentially as far south as St. Thomas.
In 2007, the City of London conducted an environmental assessment on potential interchange locations to be built along Veterans Memorial Parkway. These plans are within a 10-20 year time frame.
The City of London conducted a long-term transportation corridor protection study in 2001 and noted that the Veterans Memorial Parkway (then Airport Road) would serve as the city's eastern expressway when the city reaches its projected full build-out
Build-out
Build-out is an urban planner’s estimate of the amount and location of potential development for an area. Sometimes called a "lot-yield analysis", build-out is one step of the land use planning process. Evaluation of potential development impacts begins with a build-out...
potential.
Long-term plans call for Veterans Memorial Parkway to be included as the eastern leg of a future London Ring Road. These proposals have been discussed since the 1960s and recently have been revived. The eastern corridor for a ring road would use Veterans Memorial Parkway in the east, then continue north along Clarke Road. A western link would start at Highway 402 and head north between Westdel Bourne Road and Woodhull Road.
The northern corridor is a major stumbling block since the lands needed within the city limits have been developed. The only available route possible would be outside of the city in Middlesex Centre. Although talks continue between both municipalities, only the province can approve the plan.
Even if a route for the highway is selected soon, it would not likely be built for 20–30 years.
Future interchanges
The City of London has assessed the entire length of the Veterans Memorial Parkway, identifying areas where interchanges can be constructed, grade separations can occur, and cul-de-sacCul-de-sac
A cul-de-sac is a word of French origin referring to a dead end, close, no through road or court meaning dead-end street with only one inlet/outlet...
s can be placed. Upon completion, the Veterans Memorial Parkway would no longer be an expressway, but a freeway, for the majority of its length.
| Kilometre Post | Intersecting Roads | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 |   Highway 401 (trumpet interchange) |
4-way interchange Interchange (road) In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which... and extension to Wilton Grove Road planned. Construction to begin in 2013 |
| 1 | Bradley Avenue (at-grade intersection Intersection (road) An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more... ) |
Parclo interchange Parclo interchange A partial cloverleaf interchange or parclo is a modification of a cloverleaf interchange. The parclo interchange was developed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation as a replacement for the cloverleaf on 400-Series Highways, removing the dangerous weaving patterns and allowing for more... proposed (folded diamond), currently under review |
| 3 | Hamilton Road (at-grade intersection) | Parclo A-4 interchange planned, alternative designs proposed |
| 4 | River Road (at-grade intersection) | Overpass Overpass An overpass is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway... planned |
| 5 | Gore Road (at-grade intersection) | Diamond interchange Diamond interchange A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge... proposed |
| 6 | Tartan Drive (at-grade intersection) | Cul-de-sac Cul-de-sac A cul-de-sac is a word of French origin referring to a dead end, close, no through road or court meaning dead-end street with only one inlet/outlet... s proposed |
| 6 | Trafalgar Street (at-grade intersection) | Diamond interchange proposed |
| 7 | Admiral Drive (at-grade intersection) | Cul-de-sacs proposed |
| 7 | Dundas Street (at-grade intersection) | Diamond interchange proposed |
| 8 | Page Street (at-grade intersection) | Cul-de-sacs proposed |
| 8 | Oxford Street (at-grade intersection, narrows to two-lanes) | Diamond interchange proposed |
| 9 | Huron Street (at-grade intersection, highway ends) | Diamond interchange proposed Extension to Clarke Road planned |