Work on Laurier Avenue raised bike lane to resume this month

A sign indicating lane reductions on Elgin Street. Nov. 2, 2025. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa says work will resume this month on changes to a section of the Laurier Avenue bike lane.

The $7.2-million project would see a section of the westbound bike lane between Queen Elizabeth Driveway and just west of Elgin Street converted to a raised cycle track that is segregated from the road.

The city says resumption of the work will result in traffic impacts until this fall. Work first began in November.

“This project started in the fall of 2025 after funding was provided through the Council approved annual Road Safety Action Plan and implementation plans to enhance cycling and pedestrian safety. The intersection was identified as a High-Volume Cycling Safety Location with heavy cycling and traffic interactions,” the City of Ottawa said in a news release on Tuesday.

“The project will also include realigned on- and off-ramps for the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and create a protected intersection at Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street.”

During the construction, traffic impacts will include:

• No left turns at Elgin Street for westbound motorists on Laurier Avenue. A signed detour will direct westbound traffic to use O’Connor Street to Somerset Street West to access Elgin Street.
• Lane reductions on Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street.
• Delays resulting from the construction are anticipated, especially during peak hours. Allowing extra time for travel around the area is recommended.
• The westbound cycling lanes will be closed during this phase of construction. Cyclists will be required to dismount and use the pedestrian facilities or take an alternate route.

The city says access to the Ottawa Courthouse and Ottawa City Hall will remain open. Access to the parking lot for both buildings from Elgin Street is recommended to avoid delays on Laurier Avenue.

Some OC Transpo bus service on Elgin Street could be affected by traffic delays, the city says.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction, but temporary sidewalk closures will be in place with appropriate signage on site, directing pedestrians as needed.

Last summer, a pedestrian was killed after being hit by a vehicle at the intersection. In 2019, a cyclist was killed in the same area.

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