Mild weather causes earlier road closure for Burlington’s Jefferson salamanders

An annual road closure in Burlington for an endangered salamander species is happening early this year due to unseasonably mild weather.

The City of Burlington is closing a portion of King Road starting on Mar. 5 to allow for the safe migration of local endangered Jefferson salamanders.

King Road will be closed from North Service Road to Mountain Brow Road until April 2 when the salamanders are expected to finish their breeding period.

Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith said the road closure plays a vital role in protecting the species and allowing them to breed.

“With this mild weather, it’s important to close the road a bit earlier this year to protect our ‘Jeffies’. I appreciate the support for this closure, not only from the residents of Ward 1, but also the entire community,” Galbraith said.

READ MORE: Burlington mayor still fighting against Ontario’s ‘Building Fast Fund” ineligibility

This species of salamander is found in select areas of deciduous forest in Southern Ontario, mainly along the Niagara Escarpment.

They were added to Ontario’s endangered species list in 2011 and can live to be up to 30-years-old.

The animals emerge from underground when the weather warms up and begin their journey to temporary run-off ponds to breed.

Jefferson salamanders in Burlington are known to cross King Road so the city has been facilitating the closure of a portion of the road since 2012.

Lesley Matich, Science and Monitoring Manager of Conservation Halton, said they are proud to partner with the City of Burlington.

“For over a decade, Conservation Halton has partnered with the City of Burlington to ensure that the Jefferson Salamander can safely make the trek across King Road, towards their spring breeding ponds. These efforts have a direct impact on this endangered species’ capacity for survival and long-term recovery,” Matich said.