When the Juno music ends, jackhammers on Dundas will resume

It will be clear sailing on London'sDundas Street during Juno week but the Monday after the music festival wraps, the downtown stripwill be transformed into a construction zone that will last about nine months.

Downtown business owners and residents got a sneak peak at what to expect Tuesday when the work begins March 18 on the section between Richmond and Wellington Streets.

This is the second phase of a development project known as Dundas Place, which will turn the road into a pedestrian-friendly route designed for public events.

• See the new look for Dundas Place as 'people space'

"What you will see is the orange fencing go up on the Monday, across the Clarence Street intersection, and that's when the contractors will break ground," explained London's project manager Jim Yanchula.

Thatconstruction fencing will be slightly different from the barriers that contained the work during the first phase of the Dundas Street overhaul, between Ridout and Richmond, that saw that section blocked last year.

The city learned from public feedback that people want to be see through the fence, not only to look at the work being done but to improve security.

"People feel claustrophobic and they told us the corridors were too dark," Yanchulasaid. "So we've improved that by opening it up. We've also improved the signage so people know how to navigate the area.

Parking challenges

Luring shoppers to Dundas Streetwas a sore point for business owners who lived through construction in 2018. Parking was also a concern.

• Merchants ask: When will construction on Dundas west of Richmond be done?

"There will be disruption, so look for bagged meters, but you need to know there's lots of parking in the downtown in lots or on streets that neighbour Dundas," said London's parking and licensing manager Annette Drost.

Street parking is reopened on the newly redone section of the street and the first hour is free.

Yanchula said there's still work to do on the stripbetween RidoutandRichmond,including:

• Planting trees.
• Installing a light canopy across the Market Lane walkway.
• Painting lines on the road.

Londoners will have a chance to "try out" the flex street during the Junos when the road is opened for outdoor stages and installations.