Ottawa warns drivers to expect "major traffic impacts" during the 82-hour closure of Highway 417 this weekend.

The highway 417 has also been closed eastbound and westbound between Carling Avenue and Metcalfe Street for the replacement of the old Preston Street bridge, and the highway is scheduled to reopen at 6 a.m. next Monday.

The crew will use rapid bridge replacement technology to remove the current bridge on the highway and place the pre-fabricated new bridge into position.

Drivers are expressing concerns about how to navigate around Little Italy.

Jeff Biskup said, "I appreciate getting new infrastructure."

"You know, it gets a little tricky when you have older bridges, but, you know, I have to navigate around every day now. I still go to the businesses, but it causes some inconvenience."

Businesses in the area say traffic has slowed since the closure of Preston Street.

Adele Milanson from Farinella Snack Bar said, "The Italian festival was great, but since the bridge closure, everything has slowed down a bit."