The long-awaited bus rapid transit (BRT) system in London has reached a significant milestone with the installation of the first BRT shelter on Ontario Street at King Street. The shelter, which is around 40 meters long, features three bays for loading and unloading passengers and will be well-lit with amenities such as lights, variable message signs, CCTV cameras, and pedestrian scale lighting. The city plans to test out these elements on the first shelter before constructing more throughout the city, with each shelter costing around $250,000.
Once the testing period is over, the city plans to build more shelters in different areas, including downtown, East London, and the Wellington gateway. The next phases of the project are expected to start in late summer into the fall. The director of construction and infrastructure services with the city, Jennie Dann, describes this as a major milestone in the BRT project after years of planning and consultation. The BRT system is currently in its fourth year of construction, with nearly five kilometers of road infrastructure improvements completed both above and below ground.
Despite the progress made, London still has a few more years of work ahead before the BRT system is ready to go citywide. The East London link project is set to wrap up construction in 2026, with the rapid transit operation expected to start in mid-2027. Similarly, the Wellington gateway project is also underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2027, with the rapid transit operation set to start in mid-2028. The BRT project has been in the works for more than 10 years, with full approval granted in 2019.
The city’s acting division manager for major projects, Ardian Spahiu, explains that the first shelter will be used to test out certain elements, such as amenities, before rolling out more shelters in different areas. The city is excited to see the BRT project come to life after years of planning and design work. The BRT system is considered to be a higher-order transit system, and the first shelter in the Old East Village area is a significant milestone for the project.
More information about the BRT system and the new shelters can be found on the city’s website. The BRT project is a long-term infrastructure initiative that aims to improve public transportation in London and provide a more efficient and reliable transit system for residents. The city’s commitment to the BRT project demonstrates its dedication to enhancing the transportation network and providing sustainable mobility options for its residents.
