Roadwork to close Wellington Street between King and York starting Wednesday

Downtown drivers who use Wellington Street near the CN railway underpass in London, Ont., will have to adjust their commute coming out of the Canada Day long weekend.

Starting Wednesday, Wellington Street will be fully closed to traffic in both directions between King and Horton streets as part of ongoing work to fix underground infrastructure.

During the closure, the intersection at Horton Street and Wellington Street will stay open for east and west traffic. There will be no northbound traffic permitted through the intersection.

Bathurst Street will remain open for access to the Salvation Army London Centre of Hope.

City staff are asking drivers to plan ahead, especially if their routes in and out of downtown take them through the area during rush hour.

Richmond, Horton and Colborne streets are suggested as alternate routes into downtown.

At times during the closure, pedestrian access through the Wellington Street underpass beneath the railway tracks will be restricted to replace concrete and railings.

Pedestrians are asked to watch for signage indicating alternate routes to safely navigate the area.

The closure will affect some London Transit routes and stops. Check LTC's website for the latest updates.

"We recognize that construction in the downtown core can be disruptive, and we appreciate your patience as this important work moves forward," the City of London said in a news release about the closure.

The city said the closure is part of ongoing work to replace aging sewer pipes, improve drainage and contribute to the long-term health of the Thames River.

The overall infrastructure work will continue through 2025 and 2026, although the city hasn't said how long the Wellington Street closure will last between King and Horton streets.