Road closures and service impacts in downtown Ottawa due to the 'Freedom Convoy' protest

Prime Minister invokes Emergencies Act Powerful tools to freeze truckers' accounts, and offer financial help to Ottawa business affected by the occupation. Colton Praill reports.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the road closures and service impacts in downtown Ottawa amid the ongoing "Freedom Convoy" protest in Ottawa.

ROAD CLOSURES

Multiple exits are closed along Hwy. 417 through the centre of Ottawa until further notice.

OC TRANSPO 

OC Transpo says transit services are restricted downtown due to the ongoing police activity.

The O-Train will not be running downtown until further notice due to the police operations.

OC Transpo says the O-Train will not serve the following stations: Lees, uOttawa, Rideau, Parliament and Lyon. The O-Train will operate from Tunney's Pasture Station to Pimisi Station in the west end, and from Blair Station to Hurdman Station in the east end.

Extended service to Gatineau for Routes 61, 63, 66 & 75 remain temporarily suspended until further notice. OC Transpo says to take Route 85 to Gatineau.

For information, visit octranspo.com.

RIDEAU CENTRE

CF Rideau Centre says it will remain closed until further notice due to the ongoing demonstration downtown.

"Cadillac Fairview has been advised that authorities cannot provide any assurances that it is safe to reopen or that the police service would be able to assist our security personnel in maintaining public order and safety within and around CF Rideau Centre," said Cadillac Fairview.

"As a result, CF Rideau Centre remains closed and conditions for reopening will be evaluated on a daily basis in collaboration with our community partners."

The popular mall in downtown Ottawa has been closed since Jan. 29.

CITY OF OTTAWA SERVICES 

Ottawa City Hall and all its amenities remain closed for public access until further notice.

The Rink of Dreams and the underground parking lot at City Hall remain closed.

The city says the protest is not affecting garbage, green bin, or recycling pickup.

The resumption of appointments for in-person counter service at the City Hall Client Service Centre has been delayed until further notice.   Service Ottawa and Building Code Services will contact appointment-holders directly.

COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS

The COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the University of Ottawa Minto Sports Complex remains closed

OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Ottawa Public Library says the following branches remain closed.

The following branches near downtown Ottawa will remain open

MUSEUMS

The Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada will all remain closed until further notice.

NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE

The National Arts Centre will remain closed until further notice.

Programming planned on its stage in the coming days is postponed, and 1 Elgin Restaurant is closed.

"In light of the continued volatile situation caused by the occupation in downtown Ottawa, we have to extend the closure of the NAC for another week," said the NAC on Friday.

"This means our programming between now and Sunday, February 20, will be rescheduled. We continue to monitor the situation and its impact on our delayed reopening, in hope we can safely bring everyone back to our halls soon."