The construction of a project that includes building a tunnel in the area of Wellington and Sparks streets is scheduled to start this October, according to the City of Ottawa.
In an update, the city says the execution of the Block 2 Redevelopment project will wrap up in January 2033. This October, it will start with the east side of Block 2, with upcoming key activities including installation of fences to secure the site perimeter, temporary relocation of existing infrastructure, including benches and lampposts, and interior abatement and demolition.
The construction site plan will include five phases.
Phase 1 will take place between October and December of this year. Here’s what to expect:
- Sidewalks on part of Wellington Street and Metcalfe Street and a segment of Sparks Street will be impacted by construction.
- One vehicle lane and loading zone (lay-by lane) on Metcalfe Street will be closed.
- Wellington Street and cycling lanes will remain open.
Phase 2 will take place from January 2025 to July 2025. Here’s what to expect:
- Construction site perimeter will be extended west on Wellington Street sidewalk.
- Sidewalks on two sides of the site (Wellington and Metcalfe) and a segment of Sparks Street will be impacted by construction.
- One vehicular lane and loading zone (lay-by lane) on Metcalfe Street will be closed.
- Wellington Street and cycling lanes will remain open.
Phase 3 is scheduled from July 2025 to February 2027. Here’s what to expect during this phase:
- Construction site perimeter extended North into Wellington Street.
- Sidewalks on two sides of the site (Metcalfe and Wellington) and a segment of Sparks Street impacted by construction.
- One vehicular lane and loading zone (lay-by lane) on Metcalfe Street will be closed.
- Portions of Wellington Street will be closed.
- Cycling lanes on Wellington Street will be re-routed.
Phase 4 is scheduled from February 2027 to February 2029. Here are the expectations:
- Construction site perimeter will be extended west on O’Connor Street sidewalk.
- Sidewalks on three sides of the site (Metcalfe, Wellington, O’Connor) and a segment of Sparks Street are expected to be impacted by construction.
- One vehicular lane and loading zone (lay-by lane) on Metcalfe Street are expected to be closed.
- Portions of Wellington Street will be closed.
- Cycling lanes on Wellington Street will be re-routed.
Phase 5 is scheduled from February 2029 to January 2033. Heres what to expect:
- Construction site perimeter will be reduced on the north side on the site.
- Sidewalks on three sides of the site (Wellington, Metcalfe, O’Connor) and a segment of Sparks Street will be impacted by construction.
- One vehicular lane and loading zone (lay-by lane) on Metcalfe Street will be closed.
- Vehicular lanes and cycling lanes, on Wellington Street will be returned to original routing.
Transportation engineers from Dillon Consulting will be conducting a focused impact analysis related to Block 2’s Phase 3 & 4 construction site plan. Results of the study will be available in late 2024.
The city will be providing regular updates on its website.