A major thoroughfare within Western University's campus and a shortcut for many Londoners will be closing for months to allow for repairs.
Western University announced on Wednesday that University Drive bridge, which links Richmond Street and several residences to the main part of campus, will be closed to all vehicles starting October 18, but will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.
An outside structural engineering firm recommended that the university close the 95-year-old bridge for repairs following a routine inspection.
“Safety is at the forefront of this decision,” said Helen Connell, Western's associate vice president for communications. “Bridges are built to move, expand and contract with temperature and load. The heavier the load, the more damage to [the] structure of the bridge... We need to close the bridge to make the necessary repairs.”
Connell said the university is working with the City of London, London Transit, emergency services, University hospital, among others to mitigate the impact of the closure.
As well, due to the closure, London Transit said bus routes 6, 13 and 106 will be detoured off of the bridge starting October 15 until further notice. For more details about the detours, click here.