Just like last August, Highway 417 through downtown Ottawa was closed for three and a half days, as in mid-August, the highway was closed in both directions so construction workers could remove the upper Booth Street ramp. But this time, it will be due to the replacement of the nearby Rochester Street Bridge. The same stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway will be closed to allow this work, between the Carling Street and Metcalfe Street exits. These exits will also be the last opportunity for drivers to exit the highway to avoid the closure.

The road closure will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 30, and is scheduled to end at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4, as the closure will continue through the weekend. Also, lane and ramp closures will start at 7 p.m. Taking transit plans, parking, walking, or moving earlier or later are other strategies to deal with the resulting traffic congestion, as early weekend forecasts predict a mix of sun and clouds.

In the same context, drivers looking for detours to cross should remember that the weekend is dedicated to the National Capital Commission's cycling events, which means the road is closed to cars from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, starting from the Canadian War Museum. The city also reminds people that the annual Panda Game will take place on Saturday, which should create more traffic around Sandy Hill Arena that morning and the Lansdowne Park area that afternoon.