Downtown reconstruction project prompts road closures. Here’s what to watch for

The City of Ottawa is continuing the rehabilitation of its underground infrastructure along Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street and Bronson Avenue.

According to the City, the reconstruction project is working to replace existing sewers, roads and watermains. With an estimated $47 million in funding, the project aims to reconstruct the street right of way, wrote the municipality in a news release.

This includes the “implementation of improved street features in which physical elements are incorporated into the design, where feasible, to offer safety, comfort and mobility for all road users.”

Project limits. Photo by City of Ottawa.
The project limits for downtown reconstruction. (City of Ottawa.)

The project limits include:

  • Albert Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street
  • Queen Street from Bronson Avenue to Bay Street
  • Slater Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street
  • Bronson Avenue from Queen Street to Laurier Avenue

Improving the performance of sewers and reliability of the water distribution system are key goals of this project, said the City of Ottawa.

“The inclusion of integrated requirements for accessibility, pedestrian movements, cycling facilities, and bus transit requirements align with the direction provided by the City’s Accessibility Design Standards and the City’s Official Plan,” it noted.

In a press release, the Ottawa announced the project reached substantial completion on Sept. 30.

Progress included:

  • All underground sewer and watermain replacements are complete.
  • Road construction including all sidewalks, curbs, medians, catch basins, cycle tracks, signalized protected intersections, and paving is now complete.
  • All pavement markings including the installation of thermoplastics for bicycle crossings are completed.
  • New protected intersections have been activated.

Traffic impacts this October and November in Ottawa

Laurier Avenue West from Kent Street to Lyon Street will be closed for sewer work — in the centre of the roadway on Laurier Avenue West — from 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 until 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.

During this closure, traffic and transit will be detoured via Somerset Street West for eastbound traffic and via Albert Street for westbound traffic. Pedestrian and cycling access will not be impacted.

Additionally, lane reductions will continue on Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street and Bronson Avenue until the rehabilitation project is complete by late 2024.

Landscaping work within the new passive greenspace — bordered by Albert Street, Bronson Avenue and Slater Street — includes planting trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, perennials and placing topsoil and sod, continuing until early November.

Other work includes OC Transpo bus shelter installations at in-service bus stops, set to be complete later in the year.

Completion of signalized pedestrian and cyclist crossing in front of Ādisōke, the new Ottawa Public Library, is expected by fall 2025, the release notes.

This will be following the Ādisōke project’s completion of the sidewalk and cycle track on the north side of Albert Street between Commissioner Street and Empress Avenue.

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