Lanes on Hwy. 417 to be closed between Rochester and Bank streets this weekend

A construction sign is seen along the Highway 417 eastbound on ramp at Parkdale Avenue. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

Motorists may want to avoid Highway 417 in the downtown area this weekend, as construction closes lanes in both directions for approximately one kilometre.

Kiewit Dufferin Midtown Partnership has been retained by the Ministry of Transportation to complete construction work on Highway 417 between Kent Street and Island Park Drive.

The closures will run from 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday.

The left lane of eastbound Highway 417 will be closed from Rochester Street to Bank Street. The middle lane will be closed nightly in the same area. The left lane of westbound Highway 417 will also be closed between Rochester Street and the O-Train Overpass, while the middle lane will close nightly in the same area.

The middle and right lanes of the highway will be shifted onto the shoulder, the company says.

The on-ramp to Highway 417 westbound at Rochester will also be closed.

Officials say the closures will allow crews to access the concrete approach slabs on the Bronson and Percy bridges, along with asphalt paving and line painting.

Kiewit Dufferin Midtown Partnership initially said the closures would only affect eastbound lanes and the eastbound off-ramp at Bronson Avenue. A revised public notice included westbound lanes and the Rochester on-ramp but excluded the Bronson off-ramp.

Construction will continue on Highway 417 between Island Park Drive and Kent Street until the end of October.

Motorists looking to avoid Highway 417 construction zone during this weekend’s lane closures are encouraged to use Carling Avenue.