Community Update: Work Nearing Completion

June 2, 2017 – Work to repair the Rideau Canal walls in downtown Ottawa between Bank Street and Pig Island along the Eastern shoreline began in December 2016 and is now nearing completion.

Repairs on the walls themselves are complete and new railings have been installed. Work is now underway to re-install light standards and to repair the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway. The project will conclude with site rebeautification including laying sod and removing temporary construction trailers as well as other features of the construction site.

Beginning at approximately 9pm on June 8th, 2017 the contractor will be removing the safety measures along the southbound lane of Colonel By Drive. A signed detour route will be in place as this work will require the overnight closure of Colonel By Drive in this area. A further notice will be circulated closer to the closure to confirm the date and time.

Once the contractor has fully withdrawn from the site, the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway will be reopened. This could occur as early as June 9th, 2017.

The rehabilitation of the Rideau Canal walls between Bank Street and Pig Island was the second phase of a multiyear project to rehabilitate the Canal walls in downtown Ottawa. Last year, the first phase of this project rehabilitated a 500 meter length of the canal wall on the Queen Elizabeth Driveway side near the Bronson Bridge. While a third phase is anticipated during the winter of 2017-18, a specific location has not yet been selected.

The rehabilitation of the Canal walls in downtown Ottawa is part of Parks Canada’s unprecedented $3 billion dollar investment over 5 years to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada. These historic investments will mitigate health and safety risks, halt the loss of nationally significant built heritage and stimulate the economy in communities across the country.

Reminder to Drivers Using Colonel By Drive
As a result of the ongoing construction work on the Rideau Canal Walls between Bank St and Pig Island a section of Colonel By Drive has been temporarily narrowed. A traffic management plan has been put in place that includes a speed limit reduction in this area to 40 km/hr. This reduction has been made out of a concern for the safety of workers on site and of other drivers on the road. All drivers should ensure that they comply with posted speed limits and always consider road conditions and weather to avoid putting themselves and others at risk.

For More Information:
For up-to-date news on infrastructure work along the Rideau Canal, please visit our website: www.pc.gc.ca/rcInfrastructure. If you would like to be added to our community engagement list and receive updates on this project, please e-mail RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include Rideau Canal Walls in the subject heading.