Lane closures on Riverside Drive begin May 19

Lane closures will occur on Riverside Drive beginning May 19, with major traffic impacts expected.

Starting Tuesday, May 19, Riverside Drive eastbound lanes will be closed from Data Centre Road to Neil Way (near Pleasant Park Road).​  

Traffic will be redirected via a temporary road to use Riverside Drive westbound, with one lane in each direction. This closure is expected to last until mid-summer. 

Following this work, Riverside Drive westbound lanes will be closed from Data Centre Road to Neil Way, with one lane of traffic in each direction redirected via a temporary road to use Riverside Drive eastbound.  This closure is expected to last until late summer 2026.

To prepare the area for these closures, single lane reductions on Riverside Drive will be required beginning May 4. Signage will be in place.

Beginning May 19, left turns will be prohibited in all directions at the Bank Street and Riverside Drive intersection to help keep traffic moving.  Expect delays in this area throughout the spring and summer.

The closures are necessary to replace underground infrastructure, which includes the sanitary and storm sewers, and watermains, as part of Phase 1 of the Bank Street Renewal Project

Image Image

The Riverside Drive temporary closures are expected to last until August 31. Road and intersection work requiring intermittent lane closures along Riverside Drive will occur in fall 2026.

Alternate routes

To help alleviate traffic in the area, consider using alternate routes when possible:

• If you normally go south on Riverside Drive and turn left to go south on Bank Street, consider Smyth Road to Alta Vista Drive to Bank Street.
• If you normally go north on Riverside Drive and turn left on Bank Street to go north, consider taking Heron Road to Bronson Avenue.
• If you normally go south on Bank Street and turn left on Riverside Drive to go east, consider taking Main Street and Smyth Road.
• If you normally go north on Bank Street and turn left on Riverside Drive, consider Heron Road to Bronson Avenue.

Bank Street construction

Bank Street will continue to be reduced to one lane in each direction from Riverside Drive to Collins Avenue as watermain, sewer work and road reconstruction continues throughout the summer.

Access to local businesses

Bank Street and Riverside Drive businesses remain open during construction. Construction work will be coordinated to ensure uninterrupted customer access to businesses.

Traffic impacts

Traffic delays around the construction zone are expected. Plan ahead and allow for extra time when travelling in this area.

OC Transpo 

OC Transpo routes will not be impacted by the closures and buses will continue to use the Transitway in this area. 

Please visit OCTranspo.com/alerts for transit information. 

Pedestrians and cyclists

Pedestrian access will be maintained through the work zone at all times. Cyclists will be able to dismount and use the pedestrian route.  

Stay informed

• Visit ottawa.ca/BankStreetRenewal for additional details and specific traffic impacts.
• Sign up for the project newsletters to receive regular project updates.
• Contact the project team at BankStreet@ottawa.ca.