In what is becoming a tradition among municipalities, the City of Ottawa became the latest to formally launch its construction season.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was among a handful of elected officials to kick off the event in the city’s downtown core in May 29.

The event was held at the site of the reconstruction of Albert Street, Queen Street, Slater Street, and Bronson Avenue, one of many key infrastructure projects in the city.

With an investment of approximately $47 million, the project will include the replacement of aging sewers and watermains, and allow for combined sewer separation, which will reduce the potential for combined sewer overflows and basement flooding. The project will also include full reconstruction of the roads, curbs and sidewalks, and add new cycle tracks, bus stops and protected intersections, which will significantly improve active transportation within this busy area of the city. 

“The work being done here at the reconstruction of Albert, Queen, Slater and Bronson is one of many projects across the city that will see the renewal of aging infrastructure combined with new finishing elements designed to offer increased safety, comfort and mobility for all users,” said Transportation Committee Chair Tim Tierney. “This extensive corridor in a busy part of our city is on track for completion in the fall of 2024.”

In 2023, the city plans to invest more than $800 million in city infrastructure. Some of the highlights include:

• $136 million for road rehabilitation including resurfacing, geotechnical, guiderails, rural road upgrades and preservation treatments  
• $34.4 million for bridge structures
• $61 million buildings and parks
• $7.7 million to renew sidewalks and pathways
• $245.9 million for integrated road-water-sewer reconstruction projects
• $15.7 million for culverts (stormwater structures)

The budget does not investments for light rail transit or the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Joint Facility.