Ontario Construction News staff writer
Early work on Phase 2 of the Wellington Gateway rapid transit project is scheduled to start Monday, March 16, weather permitting, the City of London said.
Phase 2A will cover Wellington Road from Wilkins Street to Base Line Road East, with full construction expected to begin in early April. Phase 2B, from Watson Street to Base Line Road East, is planned for later in 2026. The city will tender contracts for Phase 2B later this year. Tree removal in the area will take place before the nesting season to protect migratory birds.
Lane restrictions will be in place at Commissioners and Wellington and at Waterman and Wellington to allow for installation of temporary traffic signals. Drivers are advised to follow posted signs, use detours, and allow extra travel time. Updates are available on the London Transit Commission website and on X, formerly Twitter, at @LTCLdnOnt.
The city will host an information session at noon on Wednesday, March 18, to provide an overview of Phase 2 and upcoming construction impacts. Residents can register at getinvolved.london.ca/wellingtongateway.
The Wellington Gateway is one of three rapid transit projects moving forward in London, alongside the Downtown Loop and East London Link projects. The project is designed to improve transit frequency and reliability along Wellington Road, widening about six kilometres of roadway between downtown London and Highway 401 to add continuous, dedicated transit-only lanes.
Once complete, the project is expected to strengthen connections to neighbouring municipalities and improve access to south London employment areas, including a transit hub at White Oaks Mall and a proposed park-and-ride near Highway 401. It will also improve safety for all road users, add multi-use paths, introduce transit signal priority, upgrade traffic systems, enhance streetscapes, and replace aging underground infrastructure. Construction of the remaining phases is expected to continue through 2027.
A centre median will separate traffic moving in opposite directions and provide a dedicated rapid transit lane. Left turns will only be allowed at traffic signals, and driveways or smaller streets will become right-in/right-out only. Businesses along Wellington Road may need to adjust how vehicles enter, exit, or make deliveries.
Construction is being completed in multiple phases based on logistics, traffic management, and project priorities rather than numerical order. Phase 2 construction is expected to continue through 2028, with final cleanup and restoration work extending into the same year.
The project is partially funded by the governments of Ontario and Canada.
