Ontario Construction News staff writer
Bre-Ex Construction Inc. has begun work on the final major phase of London’s Wellington Gateway Rapid Transit project under a $50.4-million contract with the City of London.
Phase 2B work started Aug. 31 and covers Wellington Road between Watson Street and south of Base Line Road East. The contract was awarded to Bre-Ex after the company submitted the lowest of four bids, with a tender price of $50,416,071.33 before HST.
The final phase will widen Wellington Road, install two centre-running rapid transit lanes, construct new transit stations and replace underground infrastructure.
The city says Phase 2B is the final major construction phase of the Wellington Gateway project. Construction is expected to continue through 2029, with some final restoration work extending into 2030.
Crews have been mobilizing in the Phase 2B area, including temporary road construction and traffic-control installations. One lane in each direction is closed between Frank Place and Wellington Court as construction gets underway.
Enbridge Gas is also relocating gas infrastructure to accommodate the project, with occasional lane closures expected while that work is completed.
Wellington Road will remain open during construction, with at least one lane in each direction. Traffic configurations will change as crews move through different sections of the project.
Work during 2026 and 2027 will focus north of Whetter Avenue before construction shifts south toward Base Line Road East later in 2027.
The Phase 2B scope includes a new concrete centre median, centre-running rapid transit lanes and new transit stops at Bond Street, Base Line Road East and Commissioners Road East. The project will also include underground infrastructure upgrades, active transportation improvements and changes to traffic systems.
Access to Victoria Hospital, businesses and properties along Wellington Road will be maintained throughout construction. Pedestrian access will remain available on at least one side of the road, and the city is coordinating with the hospital to maintain emergency-service access.
The Phase 2B contract follows other major construction packages along the Wellington Gateway corridor.
Clark’s Bridge between Grand Avenue and South Street has been widened to accommodate two traffic lanes, dedicated transit lanes and a multi-use path. Bre-Ex was also the contractor for the Clark’s Bridge phase, which reached substantial performance in August.
Phase 3, between Wilkins Street and Harlech Gate, is nearing completion, with paving, centre-running transit lanes, transit shelters and traffic signals substantially in place.
Phase 4, between Harlech Gate and the Wellington Commons entrance, is also nearing completion, with underground infrastructure complete and crews working on transit stations, traffic signals, the multi-use path, landscaping, asphalt and transit-lane markings.
Phase 2A, between Wilkins Street and Base Line Road East, is proceeding at the same time, with work focused on underground infrastructure, road widening and improvements required for the centre-running rapid transit lanes.
The Wellington Gateway will ultimately revitalize about six kilometres of roadway between downtown London and Highway 401, including dedicated transit lanes, active transportation connections, upgraded underground infrastructure and a park-and-ride facility near Highway 401.
