Local road closing to allow for salamander breeding migration

Love is in the air in Burlington, and it means it’s time for an annual road closure.

The City of Burlington says King Road, between North Service Road and Granite Ridge Trail, will be closed beginning Wednesday, March 11th, allowing the endangered Jefferson salamander to safely cross the road during its breeding migration. The closure is expected to remain in place until Wednesday, April 8th, with the road reopening to through traffic on Thursday, April 9th once the salamanders have finished crossing.

The City has worked with Conservation Halton to protect the species by closing this stretch of road during migration season since 2012. Local traffic for properties between North Service Road and the Niagara Escarpment will still be permitted.

The Jefferson salamander is listed as an endangered species both provincially and nationally and is typically found in deciduous forests in Southern Ontario, particularly along the Niagara Escarpment. The salamanders spend most of their lives underground, emerging during warm spring rains to migrate to temporary ponds where they breed and lay eggs.

“Each year, the return of the Jefferson salamanders is one of Burlington’s most meaningful signs of spring,” says Marianne Meed Ward, mayor of Burlington. “Closing King Road during their migration is a small but important step we take to protect an endangered species that calls Aldershot home.”

Chandra Sharma, President and CEO of Conservation Halton, says the temporary closure helps improve the salamanders’ chances of survival.

“Through our strong partnership with the City of Burlington, closing King Road during this critical period helps give these salamanders a safer journey and strengthens their chances of survival and long-term recovery.”