Ontario Construction News staff writer
Elgin Street, a major shopping and community artery in downtown Ottawa, has reopened after almost a year of closure as part of a $40 million infrastructure project.
The city closed the street between Laurier Ave. and Catherine St. to through traffic in January, renewing underground infrastructure, some of which dated back to 1874.
The project will be completed in fall 2020, with wider sidewalks putting a renewed focus on
Elgin Street as a pedestrian destination and public space. The street will also feature shared-use lanes, transit facilities, traffic-calming measures, flexible street parking spaces, trees, benches, bike racks and public art.
The project’s general contractor is Aecon Construction Ontario East Ltd.
Work will resume in early 2020, with crews connecting underground utilities and removing hydro poles along the west side of the street. Crews will then lay asphalt, landscape and install public art and street lighting.
“Elgin Street has been closed to traffic for almost a year, and I want to thank the local residents and business owners for their support and patience throughout the construction project,” Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said in a statement. “I look forward to seeing the final result in 2020, and I know Elgin Street will quickly become a bustling pedestrian destination for residents and visitors alike.”