The first section of Cycleway 4 in south-east London will be built between Tower Bridge and Rotherhithe Roundabout and includes new pedestrian crossings along Tooley Street and Jamaica Road and the overhaul of the dangerous roundabout.
The route will eventually connect neighbourhoods between Tower Bridge and Greenwich.
Transport for London said “where possible” disruptive works will be carried out during the school summer holidays when roads are quieter.
TfL contractors will also use longer working hours to reduce the length of construction but warned “drivers should expect delays in the area.”
Major upgrades planned as part of the route include:
- A 4km two-way segregated cycle track on Tooley Street, Jamaica Road, Evelyn Street and Creek Road, which will keep people cycling separated from motor traffic
- Five new signal-controlled pedestrian crossings and upgrades to more than 20 existing pedestrian crossings
- An overhauled Rotherhithe roundabout, which will transform one of London’s most dangerous junctions
- A new eastbound bus gate on the Jamaica Road approach to Rotherhithe roundabout, giving buses priority and easier access into Lower Road
- New and improved street layout at Deptford High Street and Rotherhithe roundabout, including new paving and trees
Work will start in July on an initial 1.8km section of segregated cycle route.
Construction work on further sections of the route, including Evelyn Street and Creek Road, will begin next year.
Gareth Powell, TfL’s Managing Director of Surface Transport, said: “We’d like to thank local residents, visitors and businesses for their patience whilst construction work takes place and would encourage people in the area to plan ahead while work to create the route is underway.”