‘No-dig zone’ implemented around watermains to maintain resiliency

Bronson Avenue, between the Highway 417 underpass and Renfrew Avenue, will be reduced to one southbound lane for emergency repairs to the Bayswater Watermain.

The City of Ottawa has said the lane reduction will be in effect until the repair is complete and will impact traffic during peak hours on Nov. 28 and 29.

Infrastructure and Water Services staff responded to a critical watermain break within the Highway 417 corridor near Fairmont Avenue and Young Street on Nov. 14. Staff say the location of the break is within the construction limits of the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) sound barrier project.

The MTO sound barrier project team is working with the Infrastructure and Water Services Department (IWSD) response team to investigate the break site and aid in the repair plan.

On Nov. 19, IWSD activated its Departmental Command Centre to coordinate communication, mitigation and response efforts. On Nov. 20, the city’s Office of Emergency Management entered into monitoring operations.

Pedestrians and cyclists will be accommodated through the impacted area during repairs. The city is encouraging motorists to find alternate routes where possible and to pay attention to signage and construction flagging.

Construction work to repair the watermain is ongoing and regular updates will be communicated by the city.

To prevent the issue from arising again, staff have implemented a ‘no-dig zone’ around watermains that are critical to maintaining resiliency.

Any proposed excavations presenting a risk to these critical watermains will be subject to a risk assessment and may be prohibited or in some cases permitted with restrictions. The no-dig zone will be reviewed and amended as additional mitigation measures are implemented.

The city says the IWSD will work with projects on a case-by-case basis to develop solutions that support construction and development without compromising the integrity of the drinking water system.