Heron Road closure causing headaches for drivers and businesses in Alta Vista

A major summer construction project is causing headaches for drivers and small businesses in the Alta Vista neighbourhood. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

A major road closure in Ottawa’s Alta Vista neighbourhood is already causing headaches for drivers and small business owners.

As of Sunday, Heron Road is closed between Bank Street and Alta Vista Drive as part of the Bank Street Renewal Project.

• Heron Road to be closed at Bank Street this summer: Here’s what you need to know

On day three of the road closure, Alta Vista resident Heather Ingrams says she has had enough.

“This is way too much construction. I’m sorry,” said Ingrams.

She says more traffic, and more drivers speeding through her area has made it unsafe.

“It would be nice if we had Bylaw officers or a few cops lying in wait. Yeah, it’s a mess,” she said.

The closure affects the section of Heron Road between Bank Street and Alta Vista, where sewer and watermain work is underway. Motorists will be detoured to Walkley Road and Heron Road, east of Alta Vista.

The councillor for the area says she is aware of the complaints about traffic congestion in the nearby residential neighbourhood and is addressing them.

“Staff have been very responsive but cannot address everything in one day unfortunately. They will be making adjustments throughout the weeks and addressing the most problematic areas first.” Marty Carr said in a Facebook post.

According to Carr, some of the traffic changesinclude Farm Boy removing an unauthorized detour sign from their window, and plans to place a crossing guard at Alta Vista and Heron. City staff are also assessing extra traffic calming measures on Evans and Wesmar, improving signage and pavement markings at Bank and Evans, and lengthening left-turn lanes along Bank Street to improve traffic flow.

The closure at Heron Road at Bank Street is part of the Bank Street Renewal Project, which began in June 2024. According to city, Phase 1 of the work on Bank Street, from Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue will be completed in 2027.

But the completion can’t come soon enough for some.

“We’re down almost 80 per cent,” said Eli Ayoub, owner of Cigar Man on Bank Street.

The Cigar Man on Bank Street says his customers are avoiding the area due to construction.

“They don’t know how to get into the mall because it’s all blocked off, you know. You can’t turn left. You can’t turn right on Bank Street. Anywhere. You know that’s ridiculous. Who’s going to pay my rent,” he said.

And it’s the same at Magid’s Barber Shop, who now only do about five haircuts per day. That’s down nearly 75 per cent due to the construction.

“We were busy, you know like 20 or 15 haircuts a day,” said owner Magid Skana.

But some residents in the area say the extra traffic is fine.

“No, it doesn’t bother me,” said Eileen Pruneau, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years.

Pruneau says you just have to accept it.

“Not much we can do because of this sewer system that they’re changing.”

Some residents even applauding the work being done.

“They’re doing a great job. Just keep it up. I like the way they sectioned it off. I really like the way they’re doing it this year,” said another resident, Tina.