Bradley Ave. extension construction begins after decades of delays

After decades, the city has overcome the final obstacle to extending Bradley Avenue. CTV London’s Sean Irvine reports.

The city is pushing forward to connect an east-west corridor in the south end.

Preliminary work has begun to extend Bradley Avenue between White Oak Road and Wharncliffe Road.

It’s about time for many drivers, who have been told their zig-zag commute would be relieved by the extension.

It is the same story for businesses impacted by construction, according to Jim Matesic of White Oaks Collision. When asked how long he had been waiting for the project to begin, he responded, “About 20 years.”

His memory is spot on.

Twenty years ago, CTV News London reported on the upcoming Bradley extension.

At the time, the owner of a local business in its path refused to let the city proceed.

“The property is not for sale, but if they (City of London) want to take it, it will be costly,” he told this reporter.

Fast-forward to the present day, and the city has acquired the necessary land to proceed.

The first step is to widen Bradley from Jalna Boulevard to White Oak Road.

In the coming months, work on the new roadway to Wharncliffe will commence.

The project is scheduled to end in the spring of 2027.

That’s good news for those who frequently travel the isolated Bradley Avenue West extension, built a decade ago.

Motorist John Duncan turns at the corner of Wharncliffe three to five times a day. He told CTV News it would make a “world of difference” to be able to go straight through, not only for commuting purposes but also for safety.

“I’ve witnessed numerous crashes, near crashes, just from people being anxious at this intersection. I don’t like it the way it is right now. It should be going straight and should have a traffic light.”

And then there is the issue of change. Many are upset that some trees have already been cut down.

Matesic counts himself among them.

Yet, on the other hand, he acknowledges that more passing cars are a positive for business.

“Yeah, probably we will be a little more visible. I mean, we’re going to change the signage on the building, so it’s a little clearer. However, it could be beneficial for business. It might be good for business,” he said.