‘Wellington is a bit of a mess’: As motorists avoid BRT construction, business worry grows

Ongoing BRT construction is causing headaches for businesses on Wellington Road. CTV London's Sean Irvine explains.

Business owners along Wellington Road South are trying to stay positive as frustration grows over ongoing bus rapid-transit (BRT) construction.

A gas station at one of the key corners impacted by road work saw few customers Friday morning.

The station at Wellington and Southdale is typically busy.

However, CTV News London has learned volume is down by as much as 80 per cent as construction fencing blocks one entrance, while another way in is unmarked and difficult for drivers to see.

Tait Williamson admitted that he would have passed by if his gas gauge had not been resting on empty.

“Wellington is a bit of a mess here, and, yeah, I would have just kept driving and filled up somewhere else,” he told a CTV News camera.

He believes his opinion is shared by many, especially during the rush hour periods, as traffic along Wellington southbound slows to a crawl between Commissioners and Southdale.

Off-camera, a half-dozen businesses told CTV News customer visits are down, in a few cases, by more than 50 per cent.

Some – including a usually busy Tim Horton’s - have placed signs confirming they are still open.

And while coffee drinkers are a hearty bunch, the construction can be a deterrent.

“I’m used to it now because it’s been weeks of this! But it’s not fun. It’s a pain!” said motorist Andrew Cardinal while waiting in the drive-thru line.

Cardinal said his commute to pick up coffee for fellow employees has grown by 10 minutes.

Some businesses are beginning to worry about the bottom line, with months of construction to come.

But Rajan Kohli is taking it in stride.

He purchased a Wellington Road Motel with his family six years ago.

While he admits construction has cost him at least 10 per cent of his business, he firmly believes the finished BRT project will enhance the appeal of his property and the city.

“I think it’s going to be a lot better than that because anytime they improve things, things are going to be better.”

But until then, it is clear many Londoners are doing whatever they can to avoid travelling on Wellington Road.

“If it’s a store I need to get into, I’m going to go there. But if I don’t need to, then I’ll just probably keep driving and come back when it’s all done,” confirmed Williamson as he finished filling his vehicle’s gas tank.