Motorists warned to expect construction on Hwy. 417 through Ottawa this summer

Motorists are being warned to expect delays on Highway 417 through the centre of Ottawa this summer, as construction work is completed on the highway median.

Kiewit Dufferin Midtown Partnership says work will be conducted this summer to reconstruct the Queensway’s median and “undertake operational improvements” on the highway from the O-Train bridges to Kent Street.

Lane closures, median closures and traffic control staging will be in place in the eastbound and westbound lanes between May 20 and Oct. 30.

“To facilitate the access to Highway 417 median construction including but not limited to removals of existing infrastructure, installation of new drainage, overhead signs, electrical infrastructure, and median barrier wall,” the company said in a statement.

The traffic changes include lanes shifted to the outside to allow for median construction, “periodic daytime (off-peak) and nighttime lane closures,” and the closure of the eastbound right lane at Kirkwood Avenue.

• Hwy. 417 ramps between Pinecrest, Richmond closed until mid-August

Other construction work underway on Highway 417 includes improvements to the noise barrier and retaining wall replacements from Island Park Drive to Kent Street.

The westbound on-ramp at Parkdale Avenue and the westbound off-ramp at Island Park Drive along Highway 417 are also closed until October for construction related to concrete curb, retaining wall, drainage, noise barrier and landscaping work.