Construction on Highway 417 expected to cause delays this weekend

A watermain valve needs replacing on Highway 417, forcing crews to close a vital east-end on-ramp and lanes on the roadway.

Three lanes will be closed on the highway as construction workers replace the valve at Vanier Parkway. The westbound on-ramps will close for the weekend while it takes place.

In a release, the City of Ottawa said it will happen between Nov. 28 at 9:30 p.m. and Dec. 1 at 6:00 a.m.

Officials warn that this work is expected to cause traffic impacts as the holiday season kicks off.

The westbound lanes are closing on the highway between Vanier and Nicholas Street.

“Motorists wishing to access the westbound lanes of Highway 417 from Vanier Parkway will be directed to Riverside Drive, east on Industrial Road, then left on St. Laurent Boulevard to the westbound on-ramp to Highway 417,” the municipality said.

The city is asking people to be patient and to drive according to traffic, as workers will be on the highway.

Last month, during construction on Highway 416, a pick-up truck collided with a parked construction vehicle. It provides a barrier between fast-moving traffic and workers on highways. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said that officers with the Grenville detachment were sent to a crash just after 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the southbound lanes of the highway near Rideau River.

The driver of the pick-up truck was sent to hospital as a precaution and paramedics also checked on the driver of the construction vehicle, but no serious injuries were reported.

OPP is laid five charges against the truck driver.