Province plans to fix notorious Highway 7 bump
A bump in the roadway along Highway 7 between Ottawa and Carleton Place is giving a whole new meaning to the term “speed bump.”
Located between Dwyer Hill Road and Hazeldean Road, the bump has become famous - or infamous - for those who regularly travel Highway 7.
"I took a bit of air," says Libbie Barker, on the first time she went over the bump. Now she tries to avoid it, but when she does drive over the bump, "I slow down to about 60."
The small section of road is situated over a large drainage pipe and affects traffic in both directions. There are signs warning of the bump and uneven roadway, along with signs telling drivers to reduce their speeds to 80 km/h.
"There are people who aren't prepared for it," says driver Steve Garten. "The sign says there's a bump but nobody expects it to be like that."
Garten is one many drivers coming from Ottawa who get to experience the bump twice every time they visit Canadian Golf and Country Club; once on the way there and again on the way back.
"Unbelievable that they can't straighten it out, and that I do have to slow down every time I go over it," says Garten.
"It had been bad," recalls driver Donna Jude. "They had done work on it earlier and it was much better, and then winter conditions or whatever, I don't know. It's got a lot worse again."
In a statement, Ontario's Ministry of Transportation says they have conducted a field investigation in the area to determine the cause of the seemingly growing bump. The MTO says they are preparing to move forward with repairs to the pavement, but timing for the work has not been set.
Located off Highway 7 in Carleton Place, McIntosh Automotive Centre says they've had their share of drivers over the years pulling in after going over the bump a little too fast.
"People are concerned about the heat shield being damaged underneath," says Victoria Karas, the garage's office manager. "There's concern about the alignments of their vehicle. It can do a lot of damage if you go over it at a quick speed."
Karas adds that the bump can cause problems unbeknownst to drivers. Impact to rusted parts can cause bending or breakage, and tire changes done at home with improper torqueing could result in wheels flying off if vehicles become airborne.
"I mean, maybe it keeps us in business," says Karas, "but it's sketchy."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.