Getting around Ottawa may require some rerouting in mid-August as maintenance closures are planned on both the LRT’s Confederation Line and a downtown section of Highway 417.
For about two weeks starting Aug. 12, sections of the LRT will close in the evenings as the Rideau Transit Group performs what the city calls “proactive route and maintenance work” on the line.
OC Transpo says work could start as early as 8pm on some nights and is expected to be completed on August 25.
The modified schedule will be finalized later this week and shared through social media and station signage, according to a memorandum to the city council on Tuesday.
In the memo, Renee Amilcar, general manager of transit operations, said this year’s work is focused on grinding and profiling rails, which she said will provide a more comfortable ride for customers.
“Every light rail system requires regular proactive maintenance annually to ensure the long-term sustainability and reliability of the system,” she wrote.
The track will also be inspected and repaired as needed, and the arrow heaters will be calibrated to prepare for winter.
During the two weeks, the non-working sections will remain open to customers and replacement R1 buses will cover the service between the closed stops, the note said.
The service will start at its standard time each morning – 5am on weekdays, 6am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays.
Amilcar said the work takes place in August, when ridership is usually lower.
The maintenance closures come just days after service was restored on the line after a lighting strike caused damage to a section and parts of the line were closed in the last week of July.
Booth Street Bridge Replacement for Section 417 Closure
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has scheduled the demolition and reconstruction of the Booth Street Bridge for mid-August as well.
417 Fast forward cab bridge replacement is being carried out on 11-15 August by MTO. 417 full closures that will be closed both eastbound and westbound. pic.twitter.com/5MmBggZehu
—@ShawnMenard1
The downtown section of the highway will be closed in both directions from 8pm on August 11 until 6am on August 15
The closed section will run from Island Park Drive to Kent Street. Eastbound ramps at Maitland Avenue, Carling Avenue and Parkdale Avenue will also be closed, as will westbound ramps at O’Connor Street, Bronson Avenue, Lyon Street, Rochester Street and Parkdale Avenue.
Booth Street, which is already closed from Normand Street to Arlington Street, including to cyclists and pedestrians, is expected to reopen on August 25.
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