Drivers deal with Hwy 417 delays due to Preston bridge replacement

Article content

It was slow, frustrating, and occasionally maddening, but Ottawa drivers managed to handle the first day of the latest Highway 417 closure on Friday.

The crews began tearing down an old overpass/bridge over Preston Avenue Thursday afternoon and will be lifting a new pre-built overpass structure into place over the weekend.

Earlier in the week, the city warned drivers of “significant” traffic issues impacts during the closure of a stretch of Highway 417 this weekend.

Article content

The Queensway is closed in both directions between Carling Avenue and Metcalfe Street for the replacement work.

The highway is scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. Monday.

Detour map
Detours Photo by City of Ottawa /SUPPLIED

Preston Street is also closed in two stages for this: The first between St. Anthony and Young streets directly at the overpass and the second one block north to Louisa Street at 8 p.m. July 25, matching the highway closure.

The city and its contractor have said all of the affected Highway 417 overpasses are near the end of their lifespans.

Crews work on replacing the 417 over pass at Preston Street
Crews work on replacing the 417 over pass at Preston Street. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

On its website, the contractor says the overpass replacement projects will be finished this year. But a variety of other highway releated work will be done in 2025. The end date for the work in 2025.

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

Recommended from Editorial

  1. For the next several months, Ottawa’s wastewater program, based in a University of Ottawa lab, will be funded with research grants. Public-health officials are looking for longer-term funding solutions.

    COVID-19 numbers spiking in Ottawa this summer

  2. Fire at multi-unit residence in Barrhaven. Supplied by Ottawa fire services

    Barrhaven townhome complex heavily damaged in fire

Share this article in your social network

Source