Rapid Transit is changing how we move around London
Find out how bus-only lanes work and what the changes mean for you.
The official website for the City of London, Ontario
The 2026 Renew London program, the City’s yearly plan to fix and improve roads, bridges, and transit, is delivering major upgrades throughout the community. This level of work reflects what’s needed to keep pace with a growing city, and we’re planning and delivering these projects in a way that keeps London moving.
This year, the program includes approximately $285 million in new projects, along with another $100 million in ongoing work from last year. This level of investment reflects what it takes to keep up with a growing city and ensure streets and infrastructure can support more people, homes, and businesses in the years ahead.
Londoners will notice construction across major roads and intersections, as well as bridges, sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit routes. While the work is extensive, projects are carefully coordinated to keep key routes open and reduce disruption wherever possible.
At the same time, these investments are focused on improving how people move around the city. Roads will be safer, aging infrastructure will be upgraded, and new sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit improvements will create more reliable options for everyone, whether they are driving, walking, biking, or taking transit.
With more people comes greater demand on roads, transit, and other infrastructure. The Renew London program is building ahead, ensuring the city can support growth while keeping people moving safely today and into the future.
“London has experienced some of the fastest population growth in the country over recent years, so the scale of infrastructure investment we are undertaking is essential to meet our current and future needs,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “With these funds we are building a smarter city that works for all residents by connecting neighbourhoods, supporting businesses, and keeping London moving safely.”
You will see a mix of work across the city. Some projects are major road upgrades on key routes, designed to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and support growth. Others focus on essential maintenance, such as fixing old roads, repairing bridges, and renewing water, storm, and sewer systems.
This work represents:
“The sheer scale of work this year reflects the city’s commitment to strengthening critical corridors, upgrading key intersections, and expanding capacity across London. Each project is carefully planned to ensure that as the city grows, the infrastructure is ready to support residents, businesses, and daily travel for years to come.” says Jennie Dann, Director of Construction and Infrastructure Services.
Construction in 2026 also includes continued work on the south and east Rapid Transit corridors, representing the final phases of London’s first approved routes. These projects will improve transit reliability, upgrade underground pipes and infrastructure, and help more people move efficiently through the city.
The year will also see more Infrastructure Renewal Projects (IRPs), where multiple improvements such as road, sewer, watermain and utility work are completed at the same time in neighbourhoods.
This coordinated approach fixes everything at once meaning fewer disruptions over time. Underground work, including sewer and water upgrades, remains just as important, even if it’s not always obvious to the public, as much of this critical work takes place below the surface.
Each year, the City highlights ten major construction projects that offer the largest benefits, impacts and scope of work. The 2026 Top Ten Projects include:
Rapid Transit remains a major part of London’s construction program, with significant progress already completed and the project now entering its final phases. As work continues on the Wellington Gateway and East London Link, the focus is shifting toward completing the remaining sections and preparing for the visible transformation above ground.
On Wellington Road, from Wilkins Street to Exeter Road, crews are finishing transit stations, traffic signals, multi-use paths, landscaping, paving, and painting red bus lanes. Phase 2, between Watson Street and Wilkins Street, will take the next two years to rebuild and widen the road, adding dedicated centre-running lanes for rapid transit buses.
On the East London Link, most construction on Dundas Street, between Egerton Street and McCormick Bouvelard, was completed in 2025. Crews will return in spring and summer 2026 for final paving and red bus lane painting. Work on Highbury Bridge will continue into 2026, and Phase 5 will begin in spring on Dundas Street. This next stage connects McCormick Boulevard through to Highbury Avenue, completing the corridor.
Rapid transit buses and schedules are not yet running and won’t be until construction of the Wellington Gateway and East London Link is complete. In the meantime, London Transit’s current buses will continue to use the dedicated bus lanes and transit shelters on their routes (like on King Street downtown).
The new rapid transit system is being built to give Londoners faster, more reliable, and more convenient travel across the city. To make this possible, major changes are needed. Roads are being widened and dedicated bus lanes are being added so buses can move efficiently without getting stuck in regular traffic, and traffic can avoid being disrupted by busses. These improvements will help people get to work, school, and appointments more efficiently while supporting the city’s long-term growth and reducing congestion.
Construction season ramps up this spring, which means road closures, lane reductions, and traffic congestion are coming soon.
While construction is necessary, the City is focused on minimizing impacts through careful planning, detours, and clear communication. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time during peak periods.
To stay informed, Londoners can:
The City will continue using a coordinated communications approach, including project updates, signage, social media, and direct outreach, to keep residents and businesses informed throughout the construction season.