Highway 417 Bridge Replacements at Woodroffe and Maitland Set for 2028
Highway 417 in Ottawa will experience two complete closures during the spring and summer of 2028 to facilitate rapid bridge replacements at Woodroffe Avenue and Maitland Avenue. These critical infrastructure projects aim to replace aging structures originally built in the late 1950s, enhancing safety and accommodating modern transportation needs.
Construction Timeline and Street Closures
The bridge replacement at Maitland Avenue is scheduled for late spring or early summer 2028, followed by the Woodroffe Avenue replacement in the summer of 2028. Both streets will be closed for six to eight weeks, with Maitland closing for seven to eight weeks and Woodroffe for six to seven weeks. During these periods, detours will be established along Carling Avenue and Baseline Road, and the two bridge replacements will not overlap to minimize disruption.
Highway Closures and Rapid Replacement Process
The rapid bridge replacement technique will require Highway 417 to close fully in both directions for 24 hours to demolish and remove the existing bridges. Another closure of 48 to 72 hours will be necessary for installing the new bridges. This method, previously used for five other bridges along Highway 417 at Preston Street, Rochester Street, Booth Street, Bronson Avenue, and Percy Street, involves constructing new bridges in staging areas and completing replacements during full traffic shutdowns over four-day periods around weekends.
Street Widening and Active Transportation
In addition to bridge replacements, both Woodroffe and Maitland Avenues will be widened to include bicycle lanes, promoting active transportation. Maitland Avenue will be widened by 10 metres, while Woodroffe Avenue will see a 6.5-metre expansion. These enhancements align with ongoing efforts to improve urban mobility and support sustainable travel options in Ottawa.
Contract and Future Projects
The contract submission period for the Woodroffe and Maitland bridge replacements opens in March, with a tender expected to be awarded in June. This marks the first of two contracts, as a future contract will be awarded for bridge replacements at Pinecrest Road and Richmond Road. Project manager Lincoln MacDonald from Stantec consulting firm noted that there are ongoing efforts to maximize the schedule, potentially pushing the rapid replacements ahead to 2027, though the current plan targets 2028.
Historical Context and Previous Replacements
The Maitland and Woodroffe bridges, both constructed in the late 1950s, are part of a broader initiative to address deteriorating infrastructure along Highway 417. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation previously replaced five bridges starting in 2021, with construction largely completed by the end of 2025. These projects have set a precedent for efficient, large-scale bridge replacements using rapid techniques that minimize long-term traffic impacts.
As Ottawa continues to invest in its transportation network, these bridge replacements represent a significant step toward ensuring the safety and efficiency of Highway 417 for years to come.
