One of Ottawa’s most heavily used roads closed for months on March 27th.
Bronson Avenue will be closed to vehicles between Catherine and Somerset streets as the first phase of a massive reconstruction project begins. It is expected to last until December.
The closure is in effect while crews replace 130-year-old water and sewer pipes under the roadway.
City officials estimate around 20,000 commuter vehicles will be affected by the closure. Vehicles will still be able to travel east and west along Catherine, Gladstone and Somerset streets, according to a detour map published by the City of Ottawa.
All one-way streets adjoining the closed stretch of Bronson will be converted to two-way during the construction period.
Although construction has been scheduled to start since March 5, members of the Centretown Citizen’s Community Association (CCCA) have said they are worried many residents don’t know the side streets will be experiencing an increase in traffic.
“The city dropped off letters to residents who live directly on Bronson,” said Rob Dekker, CCCA vice-president. “We had requested they drop off letters to those one block east and west, as those people will be affected as well, but we didn’t hear anything back from the city.”
Dekker said he is concerned the increase in traffic will pose a safety risk to residents who are used to the side streets staying calm for most of the day.
However, the city will be looking at traffic flow after a few weeks have gone by and will re-evaluate the setup if needed, said Dekker.
OC Transpo route 4 will have detours to avoid the construction. The 4 Hurdman will now turn onto Lyon Street, and the 4 Rideau Centre/Centreville will detour to Kent Street from Chamberlain Avenue. OC Transpo has set up temporary bus stop signs along the new portions of the route.