Elgin Street closed to traffic starting Jan. 7

The reconstruction of Elgin Street enters a new phase in the new year: beginning Monday, Jan. 7, the downtown strip will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Somerset to Catherine streets.

Sidewalks will remain open to pedestrians.

The first phases of the $36-million project saw lane closures and parking restrictions along Elgin, which is lined with shops, bars and restaurants.

• Elgin Street to close completely for overhaul
• Slower, livelier, bike-friendly: Latest plans for Elgin Street 'transformation' revealed

Replacingunderground infrastructure and revamping the streetscape, including burying power lines, requires full closure of the street.

That work is expected tolast all year. Here's what to expect:

Drivers

The approximately 700-metre stretch between Somerset and Catherine will be transformed into a construction site.Northbound lanes of Elgin will also be closed from Somerset to Nepeanstreets.

One southbound lane of Elgin will remain open south ofLaurierAvenue, but there won't be any parking. Drivers travelling north and south through the downtown are encouraged to use Metcalfeand O'Connor streets, respectively.

Crossing Elgin in a vehicle will only be possible both ways at Somerset, westbound at Lewis and McLeod streets, and eastbound at Gladstone Avenue.

There's free parking at Ottawa City Hall after 6 p.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends and holidays, during construction.

Transit users

OC TranspoRoutes 5 and 14 will be detouredonto Metcalfe and Cartier streets.

Southbound buses will still pick up passengers at a stop at Elgin andGloucester streets.

Route 14 will take McLeodand Metcalfe to Gladstone Avenue.

Route 5 will use the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and McLeodbetween Cartier and Hawthorne Avenue.

Cyclists

Cyclists are encouraged to use the Rideau Canal pathways or the O'Connor Street bike lane during the Elgin Streetclosure.

Remember, you won't be able to cross Elgin at some intersections, even on two wheels.

Pedestrians

Sidewalks will remain open at all times to allow access to businesses along Elgin Street.

Again, you won't be able to cross Elgin at every intersection.

All done in 2020

Partial lane closures are expected through to the fall of 2020 while workers put the finishing touches on the surface work, including lighting and public art.