Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction has begun on the final phase of London’s Wellington Gateway rapid transit project, with Bre-Ex Construction Inc. awarded a $50.4-million contract for the work.
The London contractor was awarded the Phase 2B contract June 23 after submitting the lowest of four bids. Bre-Ex’s bid was $50,416,071.33, excluding HST.
L82 Construction Ltd. submitted the second-lowest bid at $50,920,815.30, followed by J-AAR Civil Infrastructures Ltd. at $54,686,849.73 and KAPP Infrastructure Inc. at $56,978,778.
The final phase covers Wellington Road between Watson Street and south of Base Line Road East.
Work began Aug. 31 and will complete the remaining major construction required for the Wellington Road rapid transit corridor.
The project includes widening and reconstructing Wellington Road, installing two centre-running transit lanes and constructing new rapid transit stations.
Crews will also replace underground infrastructure, including watermains and sewers, and complete electrical, communications, traffic signal, landscaping, streetscape, pedestrian and cycling improvements.
Construction will initially focus on the section north of Whetter Avenue, with work moving south toward Base Line Road East later in 2027.
Phase 2B is expected to continue through 2029, with some final restoration work extending into 2030 and the City has awarded a separate contract of up to $4.8 million to Dillon Consulting Ltd. for construction inspection and contract administration.
The project also includes improvements to the Wellington Road S-curve between Weston Street and Moore Street, where the roadway will be realigned as part of the work.
Wellington Gateway is one of London’s three rapid transit corridors. The broader project includes dedicated transit lanes, improved pedestrian and cycling connections and upgrades to underground infrastructure along approximately six kilometres of Wellington Road and Wellington Street.
Construction will be staged to keep Wellington Road open to traffic. The City says at least one lane in each direction will remain open, while access to Victoria Hospital, businesses and properties will be maintained.
The final phase follows construction on other sections of the Wellington Gateway project, which are nearing completion.
