Wellington Road is about to get a major traffic shake-up as construction resumes on the Wellington Gateway Phase 4 project. Starting Monday, March 31, reduced lanes will be in place on Wellington Road between Harlech Gate and just north of Exeter Road.
What You Need to Know
The Wellington Gateway project is part of London’s ambitious rapid transit plan, aiming to revitalize approximately 6 km of roadway between Downtown and Highway 401. The project will widen Wellington Road/Street to add continuous transit-only lanes, which will help improve traffic flow and transit reliability along this busy corridor.
Drivers should expect delays and plan alternate routes where possible. The construction will impact northbound and southbound traffic on Wellington Road, with lane reductions expected to continue through 2025.
Specific Access Changes
If you regularly use Wellington Road, be aware of these specific impacts:
- Access to and from Wellington Road at Harlech Gate, Greenfield Drive, and Holiday Avenue will be restricted during construction
- Left turns will be maintained at White Oaks Mall and Bradley Avenue
- Sidewalk restrictions and closures will be required on the west side of Wellington Road
- Pedestrians are advised to use the sidewalk on the east side of the road and follow wayfinding signs to navigate safely
The Bigger Picture
The Wellington Gateway is one of three rapid transit projects moving forward in London, alongside the Downtown Loop project and the East London Link project. Once complete, the Wellington Gateway project will strengthen connections with neighbouring municipalities and improve transit to south London’s industrial employment areas.
The project includes a transit hub by White Oaks Mall and a proposed park-and-ride near Highway 401. Construction on the remaining phases is expected to continue between 2024 and 2027.
More Than Just Transit
Beyond improving transit, the Wellington Gateway project will:
- Improve safety for all road users
- Re-align the S-curve located on Wellington Road, south of Bond Street
- Add multi-use active transportation paths along the corridor
- Install new traffic systems that include transit signal priority, sensors, and video to reduce intersection delays
- Add new streetscape elements while repairing and replacing aging sewers, watermain, and other underground infrastructure
Business Impact
The project will bring some changes for local businesses. With the installation of a centre-median to maintain safe and reliable transit operations, left-turning movements will be restricted to signalized intersections. This means driveways and unsignalized side streets will change to right-in/out access, potentially requiring businesses to alter their delivery and access routes.
Other Wellington Road Projects
The Wellington Gateway Phase 4 isn’t the only construction happening on Wellington Road. Other ongoing projects include:
- Wellington Gateway Phase 3: Construction between Wilkins Street and Harlech Gate
- Clark’s Bridge (Wellington Bridge) Widening: Construction began in April 2024 and will continue through 2025, with some finishing work in 2026
The Clark’s Bridge project has also caused lane restrictions for northbound and southbound travel, with left-turns restricted to signalized intersections. It has also resulted in the closure of a section of the Thames Valley Parkway (TVP) during construction, with a signed detour in place.
Staying Connected
For those wanting more information or updates about the Wellington Gateway project, more details are available on the City of London’s Get Involved page.
The City of London remains committed to keeping residents informed throughout the planning and construction process.