Significant traffic disruptions expected on Ottawa roads during royal visit

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Excitement for a royal visit to Ottawa

Getting ready for a royal visit

The City of Ottawa says there will be significant traffic disruptions during King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit next week.

The traffic disruptions come as the city works with its partners, including the RCMP and the Ottawa Police Service, to ensure the safety of the king, the City of Ottawa said in a news release Thursday.

“The morning and afternoon commutes on May 26 and 27 are not expected to be significantly impacted; however, for security reasons, the exact details and timing of road closures and other impacts to city services may be communicated at the last minute. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this visit takes place,” reads the release.

• Here’s where you can see King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their visit to Ottawa

Some closures may last for multiple hours, the city warns. Here’s the plan:

Temporary closures between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. are expected on Monday on the following roads:

• Airport Parkway / Bronson Avenue between Airport Parkway and Colonel By Drive
• Colonel By Drive between Airport Parkway and Rideau Street
• Sussex Drive between Rideau Street and Rideau Gate
• Elgin Street between Wellington Street and Laurier Avenue
• Findlay Avenue
• Torrington Place
• Queen Elizabeth Drive between Airport Parkway and Princess Patricia Way
• Princess Patricia Way
• Hunt Club between Riverside Drive and Airport Parkway

Full closures are planned Tuesday between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m. on:

• Rideau Street between Dalhousie Street and Sussex Drive
• Wellington Street between Lyon Street and Sussex Drive
• Lyon Street, Kent Street, Bank Street, O’Connor Street and Metcalfe Street between Wellington Street and Queen Street
• Elgin Street between Wellington Street and Laurier Avenue
• Sussex Drive and Mackenzie Avenue between the Alexandra Bridge and the corner of Wellington Street and Rideau Street
• Colonel By Drive between the corner of Wellington Street and Daly Avenue

Intermittent and temporary closures are expected in both directions for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on the Macdonald-Cartier and Portage bridges during motorcade movement. Meanwhile, the Alexandra and Chaudière bridges will remain open in both directions.

The city is asking residents to avoid unnecessary travel around these locations, allow for extra time if travel is necessary, and take alternate routes, if possible, throughout the two days.

More information is available online at at the city’s online traffic map.

OC Transpo users are also asked to expect delays due to detours and road closures. More information about transit services is available here: octranspo.com.

Waste and recycling collection will not be impacted, the city adds.

Businesses and property owners are asked to communicate any operating changes to customers, conduct appointment-based business, if possible, encourage their staff to prepare for delays, and to coordinate with suppliers and adjust delivery hours accordingly.

More information and updates will be provided during the visit by the RCMP and OPS.

During their brief visit to Ottawa, the king and the queen will attend the opening of the new session of Parliament. Charles will deliver the speech from the throne on Tuesday to outline the new Liberal government’s priorities for the upcoming session. This will be Charles’ first visit to Canada as monarch.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle