Stretch of Highway 417 to close this weekend for bridge replacement

A stretch of Highway 417 in Ottawa will be closed for more than four daysstarting Thursday evening for the replacement of the Percy Street bridge.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO)is closing the highway's eastbound lanes between Carling/Kirkwood and Metcalfe, and westbound lanes between Metcalfe/Catherine and Bronson, between8 p.m. onThursday, Oct. 19, and 6 a.m.on Tuesday, Oct. 24.

Lane closures and reductions are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.Thursday.

The closure is part of MTO's ongoing efforts to widen sections of the highway, which includedreplacing the Bronson Avenue overpass in July.

Thebridge replacement at Percy Streetwas twice delayed, prompting frustrationsabouttraffic diverted byongoing construction near the bridge.

Closure to accommodate any fall weather impacts

The latest closure lastsuntil Tuesday to accommodate "any fall weather that could impact concrete paving and work," according to a City of Ottawa news release.

Also closedfor the same time period arehighway access ramps at O'Connor westbound, Lyon westbound, Maitland eastbound, Carling eastbound and Parkdale eastbound.

Detours will be in effect.

Westbound motorists must exit the highway at Metcalfe/Catherine, continue west on Catherine Street and take the Bronson westbound access ramp.

Eastbound motorists must exit the highway at Carling/Kirkwood and continue eastbound on Carling Avenue.

Motorists will thenturn right on Bronson Avenue and take the ramp onto Riverside Drive eastbound toward the Riverside eastbound access ramp.