29 Jul Hog’s Back Swing Bridge Update
The bridge will close on Monday August 12 for approximately 8 months of critical repairs. Hog’s Back Road will be closed between the Rideau Canoe Club entrance & Colonel By Drive. Pedestrian/cycling access will remain using the detour as outlined on the map below.
On Monday, May 13, I hosted a public information session with the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada to share information on the upcoming construction and replacement of both bridges that span Hog’s Back Road; the swing bridge and fixed bridge. The NCC have confirmed they will be closing Hog’s Back Road on Monday, August 12 to begin the repair and replacement of the swing bridge. This project will last approximately 8 months. Hog’s Back Road will be closed between the Rideau Canoe Club entrance & Colonel By Drive. Pedestrian/cycling access will remain using the detour as outlined on the map below.
Colonel By Drive will remain open and accessible from Riverside Drive during this time. Next Spring at the conclusion of the swing bridge replacement, Parks Canada will undertake the repair and replacement of the fixed bridge over the Hog’s Back falls. Colonel By Drive will remain open and accessible from Prince of Wales Drive during this construction period. The project is expected to be fully completed in December 2020. Total investment is approximately $17 million.
There will be significant traffic impacts during the construction of both projects. A number of measures will be implemented to assist with traffic flow, including:
Extending the westbound Heron Road transit lane further east to allow right turning vehicles to enter the lane to turn northbound on Prince of Wales earlier, relieving some of the queue on Heron Road.
Creating a Double left turn from Heron Road onto Prince of Wales Drive
Creating a Double left turn from Baseline Road to Fisher Avenue, similar to last year
City staff are also looking at the Meadowlands Drive/Hogs Back Road /Prince of Wales Drive traffic light timing sequence to see if it needs to be reconfigured to allow more time for left turning, northbound traffic accessing Prince of Wales Drive from Meadowlands Drive, especially in the morning peak period.
City Traffic staff will be continuously monitoring the operations in the area and make adjustments to the light operations as necessary.
There will no doubt be traffic delays associated with this project.
I appreciate the community’s patience as the NCC and Parks Canada undertake this significant and important infrastructure project.
Below you will find an update from the NCC on their constructions project.