New traffic pattern as OC Transpo adjusts Transitway routes between Merton Street and Empress Avenue for O-Train Confederation Line construction

_ (via City of Ottawa) _ Starting Sunday, January 17, the next phase of OC Transpo route adjustments to accommodate O-Train Confederation Line construction will take effect. These adjustments require the closure of the Transitway roadway just west of downtown, between Merton Street and Empress Avenue. Buses will now run on the newly constructed bus-only lanes along Scott and Albert Streets.

Changes have been designed to maintain important connections for customers and minimize the number of buses running on Scott Street. Most customers using this section of the Transitway will have a slightly longer travel time. They will also see changes to the platform locations at Bayview and LeBreton Stations, which move south to Albert Street.

All transit customers are encouraged to visit octranspo.com and use the new travel planner to see if their trips are affected.

Summary of changes:

· Transitway roadway closes between Empress Avenue and Merton Street, and buses will be rerouted to bus lanes on Albert and Scott streets

· Routes 86, 87, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99, as well as all west-end express and peak-only routes will use Scott and Albert

· Customers using these routes will see travel times increase by up to three minutes

· LeBreton and Bayview Transitway stations will be relocated slightly south to Albert Street

· All routes serving LeBreton and Bayview will continue to serve these stations

· Out-of-service buses will be routed via the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in order to minimize the number of buses on Scott and Albert

For more information about O-Train Confederation Line construction, visit ontrack2018.ca or confederationline.ca.

Real-time schedule information is available 24 hours a day, up to six days in advance, by calling 613-560-1000 or texting 560560 plus the four‑digit bus stop number. For more details, travel planning assistance, and new timetables, customers should call OC Transpo at 613-741-4390 or visit octranspo.com.

Motorists are advised to pay special attention on the roadway as in-service buses will now travel on Scott Street and Albert Street between Merton Street and Empress Avenue.

As of January 17, one lane will be open to general traffic and one lane will be used for buses only (marked by painted diamonds on the pavement) in both directions on Scott Street and Albert Street. All existing turn lanes for general traffic will be maintained. The bus-only lanes for OC Transpo and emergency vehicles will be located in the curb-side lanes. All vehicles will be required to follow the rules specific to roads with both general-traffic and transit lanes, notably:

· The bus-only lanes are reserved for OC Transpo and emergency vehicles only. Vehicles may enter the bus-only lanes in advance of a right turn to access a street, private driveway or commercial building. · Motorists in the general-traffic lanes must move over to allow emergency vehicles with lights flashing to overtake them, whenever the emergency vehicles need to travel faster than they could in the bus lane.

Additional features have also been installed along the corridor to accommodate pedestrian and cycling traffic:

· New signalized pedestrian crossings have been installed at Merton Street and City Centre Avenue.

· New multi-use pathways connecting Bayview Road to Bayview Station, and Bayview Station to Albert Street, have also been built to help accommodate pedestrian and cycling traffic.

· On Scott and Albert streets, the multi-use pathways have been newly re-paved and will be maintained all winter, and the existing sidewalk on the south side will remain open throughout construction.

The public is reminded to exercise extra caution and to only cross the street at signalized intersections.