Sections of Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Colonel By Drive closing for removal of Rideau Canal Skateway equipment

Crews remove a hut from the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. April 9, 2026. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Sections of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Colonel By Drive along the Rideau Canal will be closed at times over the next few days for removal of equipment from the Rideau Canal Skateway.

The 56th Rideau Canal Skateway season ended March 4 after 56 skating days.

The National Capital Commission says there will be temporary road closures on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday to remove chalets and other equipment from the canal. Pathways for pedestrians and cyclists will also be closed.

Thursday, April 9, 2026

• Schedule: 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Location: Queen Elizabeth Driveway northbound lane between Fifth Avenue and Princess Patricia Way.
• Impact on motorists: Closure of the northbound lane; traffic will be intermittently rerouted through the open lane.
• Impact on pedestrians and cyclists: Pathway closure in effect. Please follow signage.

Friday, April 10, 2026

• Schedule: 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Location: Queen Elizabeth Driveway northbound and southbound lanes between Fifth Avenue and the Bank Street bridge.
• Schedule: 11:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Location: Colonel By Drive northbound and southbound lanes between Bronson Avenue and University Drive, with the northbound lane closure extending from University to Hog’s Back Road.
• Impact on motorists: Multiple closures on Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Colonel By Drive. Motorists are asked to find alternate routes.
• Impact on pedestrians and cyclists: Pathway closure in effect. Please follow signage.

Saturday, April 11, 2026

• Schedule: 5:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Location: Colonel By Drive northbound and southbound lanes between Daly Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue.
• Impact on motorists: Closure of both lanes. Motorists are asked to find alternate routes.
• Impact on pedestrians and cyclists: Pathway closure in effect. Please follow signage.

Monday, April 13, 2026

• Schedule: 8 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• Location: Queen Elizabeth Driveway northbound and southbound lanes between Fifth Avenue and Princess Patricia Way.
• Schedule: 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Location: Colonel By Drive northbound and southbound lanes between Daly Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue (both directions).
• Impact on motorists: Motorists are asked to find alternate routes.
• Impact on pedestrians and cyclists: Pathway closure in effect. Please follow signage.

Boating season on the Rideau Canal usually begins in mid-May and runs until mid-October.

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