Reconstruction of Albert Street/Queen Street/Slater Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street and Bronson Avenue from Queen Street to Laurier Avenue

Stay informed! Sign up for the Reconstruction of Albert, Queen, Slater, Bronson e-newsletter.

Project description

The City of Ottawa has identified a requirement for the rehabilitation and/or replacement of portions of its underground infrastructure along Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street, and Bronson Avenue.

The project limits include:

• Albert Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street
• Queen Street from Bronson Avenue to Bay Street
• Slater Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street
• Bronson Avenue from Queen Street to Laurier Avenue

The project will include the replacement of portions of the existing sewers, roads, and watermains as well as the rearrangement and reconstruction of the street right-of-way in accordance with the results of the Albert and Slater Streets Post Light Rail Transit (LRT) Repurposing Functional Design Study that was approved by Council of the City of Ottawa in 2018. The streets will follow the complete street framework, in which physical elements will be incorporated if possible into the design such that streets offer safety, comfort and mobility for all users.

Why: The City is renewing the underground infrastructure to improve performance of our sewers and to improve the reliability of the water distribution system. The inclusion of integrated requirements for accessibility, pedestrian movements, cycling facilities, and bus transit requirements align with the direction provided by the City’s Accessibility Design Standards and the City’s Official Plan, and the City’s Downtown Moves master plan.

Where: The project includes Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street and Bronson Avenue from Queen Street to Laurier Avenue.

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the design consulting firm, Parsons Corporation, to develop the design for the reconstruction of Albert Street/Queen Street/Slater Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street and Bronson Avenue from Queen Street to Laurier Avenue Project. Aecon Construction Ontario East was retained as the contractor to undertake the work.

Project timing

The current project schedule is as follows:

• Design completion: fall 2021
• Utilities relocations: summer/fall 2021and winter/spring 2022
• Construction start: spring 2022
• Construction end: late 2024

Project budget

Approved project funds to date: approximately $47 million

Construction schedule

During the 2023 construction season, the project focused on the following:

• Albert Street, between Bronson Avenue and Bay Street: Advanced surface works including new curbs, sidewalks, cycle tracks, bus stop, road construction and paving.
• Slater Street, between Bronson Avenue and Bay Street: Completed the remaining storm sewer installation, advanced surface works including new curbs, sidewalks, cycle tracks, bus stop, signalized intersection at Bay, road construction and paving.
• Albert Street, between Empress and Bronson avenues: Completed underground infrastructure replacement including sanitary sewer, storm sewer and watermain replacement. Advanced surface works including new curbs, sidewalks, cycle tracks, two eastbound bus stops, signalized intersection at Empress, road construction and paving.
• Slater Street, between Empress and Bronson avenues: Completed the new retaining wall, advanced road realignment including new curbs, sidewalks, and cycle tracks and opened the new roadway to traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Bronson Avenue, between Laurier Avenue West and Slater Street: Completed the minor widening of Bronson to allow for a wider sidewalk, the installation of the watermain and advanced surface works including new curbs, sidewalks, road construction and paving.
• Bronson Avenue, between Albert and Queen streets: Completed underground infrastructure replacement including storm sewer, sanitary sewer and watermain. Advanced surface works including new curbs, sidewalks, road construction and paving.

2024 construction season

Looking forward to the 2024 construction season, the project will focus on the following areas:

• Complete remaining surface works on Slater Street, Albert Street and Bronson Avenue.
• Complete the new protected intersections at Slater & Bay streets, Slater Street & Bronson Avenue, Albert Street & Bronson Avenue, and Albert Street & Empress Avenue.
• Complete the new cycle tracks on Slater and Albert streets between Empress Avenue and Bay Street and on Bronson Avenue between Slater Street and Queen Street.
• Complete sewer replacement on Queen Street between Bronson Avenue and Bay Street.
• Complete surface works including new curbs, sidewalks, traffic calming features and roadway paving on Queen Street between Bronson Avenue and Bay Street.
• Pave the final lift of asphalt on all roadways within the project limits.
• Complete landscaping throughout the project limits including 47 new trees, over 17,000 shrubs and ornamental grasses, topsoil, sod, and hydraulic seeding. Once the Ādisōke project completes their landscaping work, this will bring the total number of new trees within the project area to over 100.

This work began in the spring of 2022 and is to be completed by late 2024.

Winter conditions for motorists, transit, pedestrians, and cyclists

Beginning in mid-December, two lanes on Albert and Slater streets between Empress Avenue and Bay Street will reopen for the winter period. Bronson Avenue between Laurier Avenue and Albert Streets will have two lanes in each direction and Bronson Avenue between Albert and Queen streets will have one lane in each direction. Furthermore, sidewalks and multi-use pathways in the project area will reopen during the winter shutdown period.

On-street parking and local access

As the various road reconstruction activities are in progress, on-street parking will be restricted. Local access will be maintained to residents, business owners and emergency vehicles.

Periodically, vehicular access to your property may be unavailable; the Contractor is required to provide 24-hour notification of temporary loss of vehicular access/egress to your property. A temporary On-Street Parking Permit will be made available to allow on-street parking within two blocks of your residence when these disruptions occur.

Impact on the right of way and adjacent private properties

The reconstruction is within the City’s right of way but may result in some disruption to part of the private property directly adjacent to the work. The City will reinstate sections of landscaping, driveways and walkways that are disturbed by construction. 

Construction disruptions

The Contractor will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to the everyday life of your family and/or operation of your business, but, as you can appreciate, there may be some inconvenience during the work, such as traffic delays, noise and dust. You may also feel vibrations due to heavy equipment operations. Vibrations from construction activities are quite common and rarely cause any problems. We would like to thank you for your patience and co-operation.

Temporary water services

During the replacement of the watermain, water will be supplied to buildings by temporary water lines. While your property will be on this temporary service, your water usage will be estimated as the temporary service is not metered. Your water bill will be based on the past average water usage for your address. If you have any questions, please contact Revenue at 613-580-2444 or WS-Billing@ottawa.ca.

Municipal fire suppression will continue during the construction period. Please note that private fire suppression systems may be impacted. Temporary water is provided for domestic consumption purposes only. If you have a private fire suppression system, it is recommended that you make arrangements with a fire protection services company in order to determine the extent of any impact. For information on minimizing your fire risk contact the City’s Fire Services at 613-580-2424 ext. 15371 (East) or ext. 15372 (West).

We apologize in advance for any disruptions in water service during construction. Any problems with the temporary water services can be directed to the City’s on-site representative or call the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 in the evenings or weekends.

Tree removal and planting

There are over 100 trees proposed to be planted as part of the Albert, Queen, Slater, Bronson reconstruction project and the Ādisōke (Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada Joint Facility) project combined. The new trees will include several hearty salt-resistant species that will contribute to the urban forest and provide shade and respite from the urban environment. As discussed during the Albert, Queen, Slater, Bronson reconstruction consultation phase, this project also includes the removal of select trees.

A total of approximately 100 existing trees are either in direct conflict with the proposed road realignment, cycle tracks or sidewalks, and must be removed.

Tree replacement is being provided at a 1:1 replacement level and there will also be approximately 17,250 additional perennials and ornamental grasses planted. Of the new trees, a portion of them will be planted in soil cells located within the right-of-way or within the boulevard. A soil cell is a modular building block (resembles a plastic milk crate) used to contain healthy soil beneath a hard asphalt and/or concrete surface. The soil cells will support the cycle track and sidewalk loads and are filled with high-quality, uncompacted soil that allows the tree roots to spread out and grow. The system includes irrigation pipes to aid in watering trees and providing sufficient air circulation. Overall, the soil cells promote healthy tree root growth, longevity and increase their likelihood of trees surviving in an urban environment.

Photo: A typical underground soil cell which allows healthy tree roots growth under a hard surface.

Noise By-law

The City of Ottawa Noise By-law (2017-255) allows construction activity to occur weekdays between 7 am and 10 pm. On Saturdays, work is permitted between 7 am and 10 pm, while Sunday and statutory holiday work is allowed between 9 am and 10 pm. If work needs to occur outside of the Noise By-law, an exemption request will be approved, and timing for the planned work will be communicated to affected residents in advance.

Accessibility

Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. The City makes every effort to provide access through and around construction sites. If you require a disability-related accommodation, please contact the project team listed below. Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Safety

The City of Ottawa is committed to safety in and around project sites. The project team continues to work closely with the industry and to comply with recommendations provided by municipal, provincial and federal health officials, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

For any emergency outside normal working hours on weekdays and weekends, call the City at 3-1-1.
For further information, please contact the project team or alternatively, the City Project Manager:

City Project Manager
Patrick Duquette, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel.: 613-580-2424, ext. 16038

City On-Site Representatives
Brett Hayes, C.E.T.
City of Ottawa, Inspector
Tel.: 613-298-0265                                      

Contract Administrator
Marc Proulx, C.E.T.
Parsons
Tel:  613-691-1597

Contractor Representatives
Kurtis Baker
Senior Project Manager
GIP Construction Ontario East
Tel: 613-239-5460

Stephen Zeggil, Site Superintendent
GIP Construction Ontario East
Tel.: 613-914-6824

John Zappa, Superintendent
GIP Construction Ontario East
Tel: 613-223-4544

Beginning in early March, the City of Ottawa will resume the rehabilitation of its infrastructure along Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street and Bronson Avenue.

Below is a detailed overview of the next phase of construction.

What: During the 2024 construction season, the project will focus on the following:

• Queen Street, between Bronson Avenue and Bay Street: complete the installation of storm and sanitary sewers and full road reconstruction, including new sidewalks, curbs, catch basins, paving, traffic calming elements, landscaping, and tree plantings.
• Albert & Slater streets, between Empress Avenue and Bay Street and Bronson Avenue, between Laurier Avenue West and Queen Street: Complete remaining surface works including new traffic signal and streetlight infrastructure, curbs, sidewalks, cycle tracks, bus stops, final lift asphalt and activate the new protected intersections at Slater & Bay, Slater & Bronson, Albert & Bronson, and Albert & Empress. Complete all landscaping work including planting shrubs, ornamental grasses, trees and the new green space bordered by Bronson, Albert, and Slater.

Why: The overall purpose of the project is to replace portions of the existing sewers, roads and watermains as well as the rearrangement and reconstruction of the street right of way in accordance with the results of the Albert and Slater Streets Post Light Rail Transit (LRT) Repurposing Functional Design Study that was approved by Ottawa City Council in 2018. The streets will follow the Complete Street framework, in which physical elements will be incorporated into the design, such as safety, comfort and mobility for all users.

When: The work on Queen Street, between Bronson Avenue and Bay Street, is tentatively planned to begin in early March and the remaining work will resume as warmer weather arrives which is anticipated around mid-April. The project is planned to be completed by the end of October 2024.

Where: The limits of construction associated with this project are as follows:

• Albert Street, from Empress Avenue to Bay Street
• Slater Street, from Empress Avenue to Bay Street
• Queen Street, from Bronson Avenue to Bay Street
• Bronson Avenue, from Queen Street to Laurier Avenue West

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained the contractor, GIP Construction Ontario East Ltd. to undertake this work.

Traffic impacts

The exact timing and details of any full closures will be communicated in advance via mailed notices, posting to the project webpage and our project newsletter.

Queen Street

Queen Street will be locally closed at the work area and operate as two dead end streets on either side of the excavation. Local traffic will be maintained although vehicle access will need to be made from the appropriate end of the street. As sewer replacement progresses from Bronson Avenue towards Bay Street, the localized closure will move eastward with the work. The sidewalks will be closed one at a time and pedestrians will be directed to use the sidewalk on the other side of the street.

Albert and Slater streets

Albert and Slater streets will be reduced to a single lane between Empress Avenue and Bay Street for significant portions of the 2024 construction season. Sidewalks and cycle tracks will be closed when required and localized detours will be in place.

Bronson Avenue

Bronson Avenue will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Laurier Avenue West and Queen Street for significant portions of the 2024 construction season. Sidewalks and cycle tracks will be closed when required and localized detours will be in place. At times, Bronson Avenue between Queen and Albert streets will operate as a single lane with two-way traffic controlled by a flag person during working hours.

Upcoming tree removal on Queen Street

The project will be completing the final phase of tree removals. A total of seven trees will be removed on Queen Street in early March (six on the north side near Bronson Avenue and one on the south side near 410 Queen Street). The removals are necessary to provide space for the new, wider sidewalks which are a requirement of accessibility standards and to provide a pick-up and drop-off area near Christ Church Cathedral. A small tree on Bronson Avenue near 95 Bronson Avenue which was planned for removal in 2023 will also be removed during this time. As mentioned previously, a significant planting plan will take place in the project area to provide compensation for trees that are being removed. Of the 47 new trees planned to be planted in 2024, 10 will be planted on Queen Street.

On-street parking and local access

As the various road reconstruction activities are in progress, on-street parking will be restricted. Local access will be maintained to residents, business owners and emergency vehicles. Periodically, vehicular access to your property may be unavailable; the contractor is required to provide 24-hour notification of temporary loss of vehicular access/egress to your property. A temporary On-Street Parking Permit will be made available to allow on-street parking within two blocks of your residence when these disruptions occur. Residents with electric vehicles will need to find alternative charging arrangements when access is restricted. The use of extension cords within the public right of way is not permitted.

Impact on the right of way and adjacent private properties

The reconstruction is within the City’s right of way but may result in some disruption to part of the private property directly adjacent to the work. The City will reinstate sections of landscaping, driveways and walkways that are disturbed by construction. However, if you have plants or any other assets located within the City’s right of way that you want to preserve, we suggest that you may want to move them in preparation for the construction work.

Construction disruptions

The contractor will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to the everyday life of your family and/or operation of your business, but, as you can appreciate, there may be some inconvenience during the work, such as traffic delays, noise and dust. You may also feel vibrations due to heavy equipment operations. Vibrations from construction activities are quite common and are rarely a cause for concern. We would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation.

The Reconstruction of Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street from Empress Avenue to Bay Street and Bronson Avenue from Queen Street to Laurier Avenue project has held several online engagement opportunities.

The City of Ottawa invited residents to review and provide comments in November 2021, January 2021, and June 2020. 

Online engagement opportunity (November 2021)

The presentation from the online engagement session held on November 23, 2021 is linked below. Residents were encouraged to provide feedback by December 7, 2021.

Presentation boards [ 3.42 MB ]

Online engagement opportunity (January 2021)

In January 2021, residents were provided the opportunity to review project details and provide feedback by January 27, 2021. The project display boards and roll plan are linked below.

Project display boards [ 379 KB ]
Roll plan [12.9 MB ]

Online engagement opportunity (June 2020)

In June 2022, residents were provided the opportunity to review project details and provide feedback between June 16 – 30, 2020. The project display boards and draft design drawings are linked below.

Project display boards [ 1.88 MB ]
Draft Design – Reconstruction of Albert, Queen, Slater and Bronson Streets [ 1.05 MB ]