Road users forewarned of building work disrupting Hwy. 417 in Ottawa across summer season
Rewritten Article:
Hitting the road in Ottawa this summer, especially on Highway 417, means you'll need to brace for some major changes. From lane adjustments to ramp closures, the Queensway is undergoing a significant transformation this season.
Construction work is slated to remodel the Highway's median and make operational improvements between the O-Train bridges and Kent Street. The project will last from May 20 to October 30, causing lane and median closures in both eastbound and westbound directions.
The work involves removing existing infrastructure, installing new drainage, overhead signs, electrical infrastructure, and median barriers – all to facilitate access to the highway median construction. Be prepared for lanes shifted to the outside to accommodate median construction, periodic daytime and nighttime lane closures, and even the closure of the eastbound right lane at Kirkwood Avenue.
Summer travelers on the 417 might also encounter additional complications due to other construction projects happening simultaneously. For instance, improvements to the noise barrier and retaining wall replacements from Island Park Drive to Kent Street are well underway. The westbound on-ramp at Parkdale Avenue and the westbound off-ramp at Island Park Drive along Highway 417 are closed until October for construction-related work.
Here's a summary of the major lane and ramp closures you can expect this summer:
- The westbound on-ramp at Pinecrest Road and the westbound off-ramp at Richmond Road are closed until mid-August. Use the detour via Baseline Road to access the 417, or exit at Greenbank Road/Pinecrest Road for Bayshore Drive or Richmond Road.
- Multiple ramps on the westbound side, including those at Island Park Drive, Parkdale Avenue, Rochester, and Lyon Street, are closed with reopening dates varying between June and October.
- The eastbound exit at Metcalfe Street will have nightly closures (10 p.m.–6 a.m. on Thursdays).
- The eastbound Parkdale off-ramp will be closed from May 25 to August 24, and the westbound O’Connor on-ramp will be closed for an unspecified period in 2025.
For real-time updates and traffic information, visit Ontario 511 or the City of Ottawa Traffic website. Keep in mind that these closures are subject to change depending on weather and construction progress, and it's best to plan alternative routes and anticipate delays during peak periods. Happy and patient travels!
- Construction work on Highway 417's median, including the installation of median barriers, is anticipated to last from May 20 to October 30, potentially causing delays in both daytime and nighttime during this period.
- In addition to the Queensway transformation, other construction projects related to transportation, such as the noise barrier improvements from Island Park Drive to Kent Street and the retaining wall replacements, are ongoing this summer.
- Finance and automotive industries should be aware of the lane and ramp closures on Highway 417 this summer, as they may cause disruptions while traveling to or from work.
- The news of multiple ramp closures on the westbound side, including those at Island Park Drive, Parkdale Avenue, Rochester, and Lyon Street, along with the eastbound exit at Metcalfe Street's nightly closures, might interest commuters seeking traffic updates.
- With various construction projects happening simultaneously on Highway 417 this summer, it is essential for transportation and finance industry professionals, as well as daytime workers, to consider alternative routes and account for possible delays due to these lane and ramp closures.
