Road closures and service impacts in downtown Ottawa due to the 'Freedom Convoy' protest
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the road closures and service impacts in downtown Ottawa amid the ongoing "Freedom Convoy" protest in Ottawa.
ROAD CLOSURES
Multiple exits are closed along Hwy. 417 through the centre of Ottawa until further notice.
- The eastbound exits on the Queensway are closed at Rochester, Kent, Metcalfe and Nicholas.
- The westbound exits on Hwy. 417 are closed at Bronson, Metcalfe, Nicholas and Vanier Parkway.
OC TRANSPO
OC Transpo says transit services are restricted downtown due to the ongoing police activity.
The O-Train will not be running downtown until further notice due to the police operations.
OC Transpo says the O-Train will not serve the following stations: Lees, uOttawa, Rideau, Parliament and Lyon. The O-Train will operate from Tunney's Pasture Station to Pimisi Station in the west end, and from Blair Station to Hurdman Station in the east end.
Extended service to Gatineau for Routes 61, 63, 66 & 75 remain temporarily suspended until further notice. OC Transpo says to take Route 85 to Gatineau.
For information, visit octranspo.com.
RIDEAU CENTRE
CF Rideau Centre says it will remain closed until further notice due to the ongoing demonstration downtown.
"Cadillac Fairview has been advised that authorities cannot provide any assurances that it is safe to reopen or that the police service would be able to assist our security personnel in maintaining public order and safety within and around CF Rideau Centre," said Cadillac Fairview.
"As a result, CF Rideau Centre remains closed and conditions for reopening will be evaluated on a daily basis in collaboration with our community partners."
The popular mall in downtown Ottawa has been closed since Jan. 29.
CITY OF OTTAWA SERVICES
Ottawa City Hall and all its amenities remain closed for public access until further notice.
The Rink of Dreams and the underground parking lot at City Hall remain closed.
The city says the protest is not affecting garbage, green bin, or recycling pickup.
The resumption of appointments for in-person counter service at the City Hall Client Service Centre has been delayed until further notice. Service Ottawa and Building Code Services will contact appointment-holders directly.
COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS
The COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the University of Ottawa Minto Sports Complex remains closed
OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Ottawa Public Library says the following branches remain closed.
- Ottawa Public Library Main Branch on Metcalfe Street
- Ottawa Public Library Rideau Branch on Rideau Street
The following branches near downtown Ottawa will remain open
MUSEUMS
The Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada will all remain closed until further notice.
NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE
The National Arts Centre will remain closed until further notice.
Programming planned on its stage in the coming days is postponed, and 1 Elgin Restaurant is closed.
"In light of the continued volatile situation caused by the occupation in downtown Ottawa, we have to extend the closure of the NAC for another week," said the NAC on Friday.
"This means our programming between now and Sunday, February 20, will be rescheduled. We continue to monitor the situation and its impact on our delayed reopening, in hope we can safely bring everyone back to our halls soon."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.