Traffic impacts expected during Bluesfest. Here’s how to get around

As the 30th anniversary of Ottawa’s Bluesfest kicks off tonight, concert goers and commutes alike can expect traffic delays, road closures and lane reductions.

Multiple roads will be closed or have lane reductions around LeBreton Flats as headliners take the stage from July 4 to 7 and July 9 to 14.

What roads, lanes are closed for Bluesfest?

Parking will not be allowed on the north and south side of Wellington Street between Vimy Place and Lett Street until July 22 at midnight.

These streets will be closed throughout the festival:

• Wellington Street between Lett Street and Vimy Place
  • Single lane in each direction on July 2 at 6 a.m. until July 19 at 6 p.m.
  • Closed nightly, 5 p.m. to midnight
• Kichi Zībī Mīkan between Vimy Place and Slidell Street
  • Booth Street between Wellington Street and Albert Street
  • Nightly 5 p.m. to midnight
• Kichi Zībī Mīkan eastbound between Parkdale Avenue and Booth Street
• Kichi Zībī Mīkan westbound between Vimy Place and Slidell Street
  • July 4 and July 5, 5 p.m. to midnight
  • July 9 to July 12, 5 p.m. to midnight
  • July 6 and July 7, 8 a.m. to midnight
  • July 13 and July 14, 8 a.m. to midnight

Free transit for Bluesfest attendees

To reduce the congestion to the area, OC Transpo is offering free transit to and from Bluesfest for ticket holders. People can travel on O-Train Line 1, buses or Para Transpo up to three hours before and two hours after the festival by showing their wristband to the driver or using the video-chat function on ticket machines at LRT stations.

Trains on Line 1 will also operate more frequently in the evening and will be extended to midnight on Sundays during the festival.

Para Transpo riders will be picked up and dropped off on Booth Street next to the War Museum.