Section of Woodroffe Avenue to be closed until fall starting March 30

Construction for stage two of the LRT is causing major headaches for drivers and businesses near Woodroffe Avenue. CTV’s Katelyn Wilson reports.

As of next Monday, a section of Woodroffe Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic for months for construction.

The City of Ottawa says the closure of Woodroffe between Richmond Road and Deschênes Street is part of the Richmond Road Revitalization project, and will include upgrading and relocating multiple utilities, traffic signals, streetlighting and permanent roadwork.

Staff say the work is expected to be completed by the fall. A specific date was not shared.

“During this road closure, the Richmond Road and Woodroffe Avenue intersection will remain open for eastbound and westbound vehicle traffic, and improvements will be made to enhance safety and traffic flow at the intersection,” the City of Ottawa said in a media release.

Detours will be in place northbound and southbound on Woodroffe at Richmond. Access to the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan will be maintained via Island Park Drive and Carling Avenue. OC Transpo Route 87 will be detoured along Churchill Avenue and Richmond Road between Scott Street and Woodroffe Avenue.

The city says access to local businesses will be maintained during this work, using the westbound route on Richmond Road. Driveway and pedestrian access will also be maintained for residents and businesses in the area.

These newest road closures and detours come after years of construction on Richmond Road as part of the Stage 2 LRT west expansion, which is not set to open until mid-2027, as of the latest estimate.

Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh has said the new shutdown will not only affect local businesses, but also commuters trying to get through the area.

Detours

Northbound and southbound travel on Woodroffe at Richmond

• Detours will be in place in both directions. Drivers using Woodroffe Avenue at Richmond Road should expect delays and traffic impacts.

Access to Kichi Zìbì Mìkan

• Access will remain available via Island Park Drive and Carling Avenue.

Eastbound access to Kichi Zìbì Mìkan

• Use Carling Avenue or Island Park Drive to reach the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan.

Westbound access to Richmond Road and Byron Avenue from the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan

• Exit the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan at Island Park Drive and travel south to Richmond Road and turn right to continue west.

Eastbound access to Richmond Road and Byron Avenue from Carling Avenue

• Travel east on Carling Avenue to Woodroffe Avenue.
• Turn left onto Woodroffe Avenue and continue north to the Byron Avenue and Richmond Road intersection.
• From there, follow Byron Avenue or Richmond Road in either direction.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katelyn Wilson

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