King Road in Burlington closing for annual salamander migration

City officials plan to close King Road in Burlington for the annual breeding migration of Jefferson salamanders on March 12.

King Road between North Service Road and Mountain Brow Road will remain closed until April 9, when the salamanders are predicted to finish crossing.

Since 2012, the city of Burlington has worked with Conservation Halton to protect the salamanders by closing this section of the road.

“Jefferson salamanders are not only beloved in Aldershot but all across Burlington,” Mayor Marianne Meed Ward said in a statement.

“Every year, it’s a welcome sign of spring to close King Road to provide safe passage for ‘Jeff’ and ‘Sally’ in their quest to find a mate. […] The road closure is essential to ensure Jeff and Sally can cross the road to breed and protect this endangered species; it is incumbent upon us to serve as stewards of the environment which we share.”

Jefferson salamanders were added to Ontario’s endangered species list in 2011, and are a nationally and provincially protected species.

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