Commuters who travel to and from the west end of Ottawa have been experiencing delays in recent days as a single lane in each direction of the highway near Pinecrest has been closed. Despite the work being on a 400-series highway, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario directed questions to the City of Ottawa. The city confirmed to CTV News Ottawa that the lane closures are related to Stage 2 LRT construction. “As part of the ongoing Stage 2 expansion, work is currently underway to support the installation of overhead signage on Highway 417 later this summer,” said Transit Services public information officer Katrina Camposarcone-Stubbs in a statement. “Until July 28, a lane shift is in place impacting a single lane in both the eastbound and westbound directions. Three lanes continue to be maintained for traffic in both directions. The work involves concrete excavation required to install the signage infrastructure.” The lane closures have led to significant amounts of congestion in the area, particularly during rush hours. “I try to avoid it completely,” said commuter Ben Dunn. “I try to get into work early and get home early. It’s wild.” Adding to commuter frustration is the closure of the eastbound highway onramp from Pinecrest Road, as well as unrelated on-going construction at Baseline and Greenbank roads. College Ward Coun. Laine Johnson told CTV News Ottawa some drivers are detouring through residential neighbourhoods. “We’re hearing that there are folks that are trying to take Iris, so we’ve got the local traffic only signs on Iris,” she said. “Iris is one lane in each direction. We’ve got small families that live on Iris, so we really do need police to be through here, redirecting people onto the major roads.” Additionally, the initial detour routed people through the Baseline and Greenbank construction, she said. “It comes across my desk, and I go, ‘excuse me, this is not how this can happen.’ And now, they’ve rerouted it back through Carling, but of course there will be cars that miss it.” Camposarcone-Stubbs said efforts are being made to alleviate the problem “Traffic Services and OC Transpo are working closely with the contractor to review potential options to help alleviate congestion. Additional signs have also been installed in the westbound direction to help familiarize commuters with the new lane configuration, and discussions with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario are ongoing regarding further potential improvements,” she wrote. With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Peter Szperling
