Preparations underway for 159th Canada Day in Ottawa

Preparations for the biggest party in the country are getting underway to celebrate Canada’s birthday. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

The stage is being set and excitement is building – as preparation’s begin for the 159th Canada Day.

Government of Canada officials have four official sites throughout the national capital region to celebrate, including LeBreton Flats, Parliament Hill, outside the Supreme Court of Canada and Old Hull.

At LeBreton Flats, The Barenaked Ladies, Alessia Cara and Isabelle Boulay will headline Canada’s birthday celebrations.

Megan Mask is among the thousands who say they will be joining the sea of red there.

“The nice weather, it’s like everyone’s just kind of sunbathing, especially here in LeBreton Flats,” she says. “Last year too. There was a downpour but everyone was like in it together and it still felt really fun.”

Government of Canada officials say to reach the main stage, visitors will move through the entrance and exit through Wellington Street or Booth Street.

All pedestrians entering or leaving LeBreton Flats Park must use Wellington Street or Booth Street.

There will be major road closures, and limited parking, so officials are encouraging visitors to take OC Transpo, which will be free all day.

With the fireworks at night beginning at 10 p.m., if weather permits, the advice is to plan ahead and arrive early.

The government’s official Canada Day website holds a planning guide for visitors.

Government planning officials say LeBreton Flats will close access as soon as capacity is reached, or by 9:30 p.m., whichever comes first.

Pimisi Station will temporarily close starting at 9 p.m. until 10 p.m., to avoid overcrowding on Booth Street.

Road closures

In Ottawa, the following street closures are in effect from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.

• Wellington Street between Elgin Street and Vimy Place

• Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway between Vimy Place and Parkdale Avenue

• Sparks Street between Lyon Street North and Bronson Avenue

• Queen Street between Elgin Street and Bronson Avenue

• Metcalfe Street between Wellington Street and Albert Streets

• O’Connor Street between Wellington Street and Albert Streets

• Bank Street between Wellington Street and Albert Streets

• Kent Street between Wellington Street and Albert Streets

• Lyon Street North between Wellington Street and Albert Streets

• Bay Street between Wellington Street and Albert Streets

• Bronson Avenue between Sparks Street and Albert Streets

• Commissioner Street between Wellington Street and Albert Streets

• Booth Street between the Chaudière Crossing and Albert Street

• Vimy Place between Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway and Booth Street

• Chaudière Private at the Chaudière Crossing

• Miwate Private at Chaudière Private

• Zaida Eddy Private at the Chaudière Crossing

• Fleet Street between Booth and Lett Streets – resident access at the corner of Booth Street and Albert Streets

• Lloyd Street between Fleet and Lett Streets - resident access at the corner of Booth Street and Albert Streets

• Lett Street between Lloyd and Wellington Streets - resident access at the corner of Booth Street and Albert Streets

• Onigam Street between Lemieux Island and Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway

The following street closure are in effect from July 1 at 7 p.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.

• Metcalfe Street between Albert Street and Slater Streets

• O’Connor Street between Albert Street and Slater Streets

• Bank Street between Albert Street and Slater Streets

• Kent Street between Albert Street and Slater Streets

• Lyon Street between Albert Street and Slater Streets

• Bay Street between Albert Street and Slater Streets

• Slater Street between Bronson Avenue and Elgin Street

• Bronson Avenue between Albert Street and Slater Street

• Albert Street between City Centre Avenue and Elgin Street

The above street closures may be in effect from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m. should there be a public safety requirement to support OC Transpo Light rail queues.

The following streets are open to local traffic from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.

• Upper Lorne Place from Somerset Street West to the end of the street

• Lorne Avenue between Booth and Albert Streets

• Perkins Street from Albert to the end of the street

• Empress Avenue North from Albert Street to the end of the street

• Booth Street between Somerset Street West and Albert Street

• Rochester Street from Somerset Street West to the end of the street

• Preston Street between Somerset Street West and Albert Street

• Primrose Avenue between Walnut Court and Booth Street

• Elm Street West between City Centre Avenue and Elm Street

• Elm Street between Elm Street West and Booth Street

• Spruce Street West between City Centre Avenue and Spruce Street

• Spruce Street between Spruce Street West and Booth Street

The following streets are open to local traffic from July 1 at 7 p.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.

City Center Avenue

The following multi-use pathways are closed from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m. and the detour in place from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.

The Trans-Canadian pathway (Ottawa River Pathway) from the access point on Mill Street to the access point on Onigam Street at the corner of Kichi Zibi Mikan Parkway

The Trillium pathway from the junction with the Trans-Canadian pathway (Ottawa River Pathway) to the pathway located at the back of Bayview Station LRT

Gatineau

In Gatineau, the following street closures are in effect from June 30 at 10 a.m. to July 1 at 10 p.m.

• Laval Street between Hôtel-de-Ville Street and Promenade Portage

• Wellington Street from Laval Street for an approximative distance of 15 m

• Wright Street from Laval Street for an approximative distance of 20 m

In Gatineau, the following street closures are required from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.

• Rue Jos Montferrand between Laurier Street and Eddy Street.

• Eddy Street between Laurier Street and the Chaudière Crossing.

Interprovincial bridges

Portage Bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians only.

Alexandra Bridge will be closed to all southbound vehicles from July 1 at 6 a.m. to midnight. The center lane will remain open to pedestrians only.

Chaudière Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from July 1 at 6 a.m. to July 2 at 2 a.m.

It will be closed to pedestrians from July 1 at 6 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Pedestrian guide

From Gatineau: Pedestrians may use the Alexandra or the Portage Bridge to access Ottawa. Note: LeBreton Flats Park is not accessible from Chaudière Crossing.

From Ottawa: please take Wellington Street or Booth Street. Bay, Lyon or any other street perpendicular to Wellington Street are only accessible by active transportation (on foot or by bike).

The Chaudière Crossing will be open to pedestrians heading toward Gatineau following the fireworks, starting at 10:15 p.m.

Transit Services

Free service all day on all O-Train lines, buses, and Para Transpo.

OC Transpo buses and O-Train Lines 1, 2 and 4 will run on special Canada Day schedules.

O-Train Line 1 will run from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will run from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Rural Shopper Route 302 will not run.

Use the Travel Planner or Transit, the recommended app for OC Transpo customers, to plan your trip.

Para Transpo:

• Regular bookings or recurring trips for Tuesday, July 1, are automatically cancelled. Customers can book trips for Canada Day by calling 613-560-5000 or using My Para Transpo(link is external).
• Para Transpo customers can also text 57272 to connect with customer service representatives from 6 am to 9 pm for cancellations or information. Standard rates apply.

The reservations line will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The trip cancellation line will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.

The Taxi Coupon line will remain open.

The Rideau Centre OC Transpo Customer Service Centre will be open on Tuesday, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The OC Transpo Lost and Found at St-Laurent Station will be closed on Tuesday, July 1.

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