OTTAWA – Just a friendly reminder, it’s going to be a traffic nightmare on the highway this weekend.

“The section of Highway 417 between Carling and Bronson avenues will be fully closed from Saturday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. until Sunday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m.,” city staff are reminding residents today (Aug. 9).

During the closure, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation will reconfigure traffic lanes as part of the ongoing highway expansion between Maitland Avenue and Island Park Drive. You can find more information about the highway expansion here.

Westbound on-ramps to Hwy. 417 at O’Connor Street, Lyon Street, Bronson Avenue, Rochester Street and Parkdale Avenue will be closed during this period. Eastbound on-ramps to Highway 417 at Maitland, Carling and Parkdale avenues will be closed during this period. The eastbound on-ramp at Carling Avenue will remain closed for a further seven weeks following this work.

 During the 17-hour closure, the following detours will be in effect (see maps):

Westbound detour

• Westbound motorists must exit the highway at Bronson Avenue onto Catherine Street
• Proceed via Catherine Street westbound onto Raymond Street
• Proceed via Raymond Street westbound to Booth Street
• Proceed via Booth Street southbound to Carling Avenue
• Proceed via Carling Avenue westbound onto the westbound on-ramp to Highway 417 at Kirkwood Avenue

Eastbound detour

• Eastbound motorists must exit the highway at Carling Avenue and continue east to Bronson Avenue
• Proceed via Bronson Avenue northbound to Chamberlain Avenue
• Proceed via Chamberlain Avenue eastbound onto Isabella Street
• Proceed via Isabella Street eastbound onto the eastbound on-ramp to Highway 417 at Metcalfe Street

The Ministry of Transportation advises there may be lane closures before and after the full closure, beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9 until 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12.

The public is advised to plan all trips well in advance as significant delays are expected during the closure,” city staff said. “There are many transportation options, including OC Transpo, carpooling and other alternative forms of transportation while this closure is in place.”