Construction season is here

Good morning! 

In an average lifespan of 79 years, we spend approximately 692,040 hours alive. Out of this, we spend about 90,000 hours working, 230,000 hours sleeping, 32,000 hours eating and drinking, and 138,000 hours in front of screens. One thing that should probably be added to this post is time spent in line at Service Ontario…

That’s how I spent my day yesterday. Packed in a small office at Westgate for over three and a half hours just to get a photo ID card. When my number was finally called, it felt as though I had won the lottery. 

But in the meantime, I had the chance to chat with people from all walks of life. Some were in their 80s or 90s and getting set to write their driver’s test. Others were new immigrants to Canada and were applying for a health card. 

It was an insanely long wait, but it was certainly entertaining. And it was fascinating to hear everyone’s life stories. 

Speaking of waiting, today’s main story is about construction headaches that are popping up all around Ottawa. And as someone who commutes in this city on a daily basis, I can tell you it feels worse than usual. I don’t wish an end to summer, but I’m glad that as the season dies out, so too will many of the road closures. 

A reminder to Lookout readers that we always appreciate your story ideas. If there is a concern or issue in your community that you think we should write about, please send me an email. 

Let’s get to today’s headlines.

— Charlie Senack, Ottawa Lookout managing editor, [email protected] X: @Charlie_Senack

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WEATHER

Friday: 24 🌡️ 16 | ☀️ 

Saturday: 26 🌡️ 18 | ☁️

Sunday: 24 🌡️ 13 | 🌧️

Monday: 19 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

CONSTRUCTION

These three construction projects are causing chaos on Ottawa streets

Every summer brings lots of construction to Ottawa streets and neighbourhoods, but if this year feels worse, that’s probably because it is. 

By the numbers: There are 700 active construction projects across the City of Ottawa, with $2.8 billion in spending on roads, bridges and infrastructure, reported CTV.  

Bank Street

Residents along Bank Street in the Alta Vista neighbourhood will be enduring years of non-stop roadwork. Work began last summer and is expected to last until 2027. 

• The city says, “The vision for the Bank Street project is to construct a functioning and safe complete arterial main street with a well-balanced multi-modal.”

As part of those plans, full road reconstruction is taking place on Bank Street between Riverside Drive and Ledbury Avenue, which includes cycle tracks in both directions and protected intersections.

The project includes new full-height and mountable curb medians, street scaping, reconstruction of the dewar network, improvement of bus stops, and rehabilitation of the Sawmill Creek culvert.

Road closure: Last month, Heron Road was closed from Bank Street to Alta Vista Drive, and it is expected to remain closed until the end of August. 

The impact on the neighbourhood: All of this is creating a negative impact on local businesses, which worry they won’t be able to last until the construction is completed. 

The owners of North African restaurant Moul Hanout said they were originally excited about the area's beautification but are now considering closing their doors. Rows of pylons and fences make it difficult for customers to know where the shops' entrances are located.   

Nearby at the Everest Locksmith, George Nasrallah says they have seen a reduction in customers coming in for the same reasons. Because their services can be offered remotely, the shopkeeper expects their business will survive, but he is concerned for his neighbours. 

• The Bank Street renewal project is having an effect “‘worse than COVID' on business owners,” Nasrallah told the Ottawa Citizen. “Why are they [the city] not doing more to try to save some businesses that are fragile because of this situation? The main thing is, why is there no compensation?”

The city cannot provide financial compensation for businesses, but it can provide better signage to promote strip mall entries and exits. 

Magid Skana, who owns a barbershop on Bank Street, said he used to give 15-20 haircuts a day. That number has now been reduced by 75 per cent. Next door, Cigar Man owner Eli Ayoub said their business has decreased by about 80 per cent over the last year. 

• “They [customers] don’t know how to get into the mall because it’s all blocked off, you know. You can’t turn left. You can’t turn right on Bank Street. Anywhere. You know that’s ridiculous. Who’s going to pay my rent,” he told CTV. 

Looking for solutions: In a statement, Alta Visa Coun. Marty Carr said construction crews are aware of the issues and are working to resolve what they can. She said some traffic changes include the nearby Farm Boy removing an unauthorized detour sign from their window and adding a crossing guard at Alta Vista and Heron. Traffic calming measures could also be coming to Evans and Wesmar, including signage, pavement markings and lengthening left-turn lanes along Bank Street. 

Woodroffe Avenue

What’s happening: Beginning the night of July 20, Woodroffe Avenue between Richmond Road and Deschênes Street will be fully closed for about three months. 

• Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh said, “This closure will allow for the replacement of sanitary sewers and roadway reconstruction as part of the Revitalizing Richmond Road project.”

The impact: Driveways and entrances into residences and businesses will remain open to local traffic. OC Transpo buses will also be detoured. Pedestrian access will be maintained. 

Other construction in the area: Richmond Road has already been the site of a lot of construction chaos, with work underway on Stage 2 of the light rail construction. About a dozen businesses located in a nearby strip mall have said the years of roadwork have resulted in lost business.

Business impact: Alaa Kiki, who runs a Richmond Road barber shop, opened his business only five months before the construction machinery rolled up. He said business is down 60 to 80 per cent. 

• “I had to borrow money to start my business, and now I have to pay it back. A couple more months, if it stays like this, I’m going to shut down,” he told the Kitchissippi Times. 

The headache became too much for Lorenzo Bar and Grill, which was forced to close shop when its lease expired. Owner Gillian Danby said they saw a 75 per cent reduction in clientele and are now looking to move to a new location on Greenbank Road.  

• “Before all this happened, I had to turn people out the door on Friday and Saturday, because I was so busy. Now it’s empty, “she told the Kitchissippi Times. 

Queen Elizabeth Driveway

What’s happening: Due to construction, a section of Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be closed to motorists for the next three months. The National Capital Commission said the roadway will be closed to vehicles between Pretoria Avenue and Fifth Avenue due to rehabilitation work on the Patterson Creek Bridge.

Why? The NCC said, “This important rehabilitation work will involve repairing the concrete and railings and widening the multi-use pathway to enhance accessibility for all users.”

• The federal government said the 113-year-old bridge will be widened by installing a concrete distribution slab, waterproofing and asphalt work, improving surface drainage, and enhancing and widening the multi-use pathway and sidewalk. 

The closure is expected to last until at least Oct. 31. 

The impact: Because of the closure, the Ottawa Redblacks will not be offering shuttle bus service like usual from Ottawa City Hall to TD Place this season. Instead, fans can park for free at Canada Post at Carleton University lots (P5, P7, P18) for $6, where a shuttle would then take them to the games. 

• Reaction from neighbours: “This is my north-south route to go anywhere. If I have to go to my parents’ in Manotick, I want to go to the farmers’ market, this is the way I go,” resident Laura Lockhard told CTV. “If you add the Bank Street lights and the traffic there, plus the traffic off of [Queen Elizabeth Driveway] onto Bank Street. Forget it.”

Have a comment about a story you want to share with Lookout reader? Head over to Comment Corner.

SPONSORED BY OTTAWA CHAMBERFEST

A vibrant celebration of chamber music from Canada and around the globe!

Don’t miss international stars, trailblazing Canadian artists, and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations lighting up stages across the city. This year’s lineup is possibly more exhilarating and dynamic than ever, with blockbuster concerts in the Signature Series, inspiring moments in the Marina Kun Series, and genre-defying shows at Chamberfringe. From our intimate Beechwood mornings to bold New Music Now showcases, there’s something for every kind of music lover.

Events are already selling out, so if you haven’t booked tickets or festival passes – now’s the time!

Iconic Ottawa venues like Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, the NAC’s Rossy Pavilion, GCTC, and Beechwood Sacred Space will be buzzing with energy. With guest artists including Jens Lindemann, Julie Nesrallah, The Gesualdo Six, Bryan Cheng, Gryphon Trio, and many more, Chamberfest 2025 is summer’s must-see musical experience.

Explore the full lineup and grab your seats before they’re gone at chamberfest.com!

THE OTTAWA NUMBER

-70.4%

📉 That’s the decline in new condo sales in Ottawa over the last six months, as percent of the national average. Housing policy expert Dr. Mike Moffatt says this crash of new home sales across the board in Canada will lead to lower housing starts in the years to come. Read more. [Twitter]

THE AGENDA

🏒 The Ottawa Senators have announced their 2025-26 regular season schedule, with the first home game taking place on October 13 against the Nashville Predators. The team’s regular season will end on April 15, 2026, in Ottawa against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Read more. [NHL]

⌛ OC Transpo continues to be a headache for many, with some Barrhaven residents realizing their commute is so long that their transfers expire mid-trip, resulting in them being charged twice. Barrhaven West Councillor David Hill plans to introduce a motion asking OC Transpo staff to review the 90-minute transfer window in light of concerns from his community. Read more. [CBC]

⛔ Meanwhile, East Ottawa councillors Tim Tierney and Matt Luloff say nearby LRT construction has left their communities in paralysis, and the councillors have been physically moving traffic cones off the highway in order to allow residents to use highway offramps during their commutes. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

💲Inflation and unemployment levels are rising and U.S. tariff threats are putting Ottawa’s economy under pressure. Economists are warning that this mix of rising costs, job losses, and trade risks could hit Ottawa residents and businesses hard in the months ahead. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🎤 Former staffers of Rick Chiarelli spoke out at a Bill 9 hearing in Ottawa. It comes as the provincial government looks to create new rules that would make it easier to fire any councillor who violates the code of conduct. Ottawa’s integrity commissioner found Chiarelli harassed and bullied female staff, but he remained on council given limitations in being able to remove an elected official. Read more here. [CTV]

📸 Photo radar cameras have been picking up a lot of speedsters across Ottawa, but the one on King Edward Avenue continues to be the most popular. Statistics from the City of Ottawa show 3,604 speeding tickets were issued to drivers on King Edward Avenue through the automated speed enforcement camera program in May. In the first five months of this year, a total of 15,766 speeders have been caught speeding by the same camera. Read more here. [CTV]

👻 A hot tip for diners on the Quebec side of the river: the province now allows restaurants to charge people who no-show reservations a penalty of $10 per person. Read more. [CBC]

📵 The Commanding Officer of an Ottawa-based Canadian Army reserve unit has been temporarily removed from duty and is under investigation by military police for his alleged involvement in a racist, sexist and misogynistic Facebook group. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENT

Come have dinner with the Lookout team

The team here at the Lookout is hosting our first event of 2025 and it promises to be something uniquere here in Ottawa.

We are partnering with our friends at Kitchen Maroo, at 281 Kent St, to bring you a mash-up of East/West flavours worthy of the talents of owners Lindsay Shin and Yuchang Kim.

This dinner will feature two traditional Korean alcoholic beverages along with three wines paired with four courses courtesy of Chef Kim.

• The menu includes shrimp, chicken, beef, soy and gluten and as this is a set menu, substitutions are not available. 

Tickets all drinks, tip and tax. Learn more about the event.

WEEKEND EVENT GUIDE

Chamberfest | Ottawa, ON | July 18 to July 27 | A vibrant celebration of chamber music from Canada and around the globe! | Learn more [Sponsored]

Sausage & Patty Fest: Mid-Season Sizzle | T’s All Welcoming Pub, 323 Somerset St E | Jul. 18, 5 pm | Craft sausage BBQ and LGBTQ+ camp vibes | Tickets $20

Thai Street Food Festival 2025 | Horticulture Building, Lansdowne Park, 1525 Princess Patricia Way | Jul. 19, 11 am | Thai food, cultural shows, artisan market | Free

Music and Movies in the Park | Abbott St E, Stittsville | Jul. 18, 5 pm | Live music, food trucks, night market, outdoor film | Free

The Summer Spark Market | Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd | Jul. 19, 10 am | 30 vendors, dog-friendly, free parking | Free

Lock & Paddle 2025 – Ottawa | Rideau Canal: Hartwells Locks | Jul. 19, 1 pm | Flash mob paddle event celebrating Parks Day | Free

The Original Navan Market - July 20th, 2025 | 1279 Colonial Rd | Jul. 20, 9:30 am | Market with 130+ local vendors and food trucks | Free

Hintonburg Night Market | 1088 Somerset St. W | Jul. 24, 7 pm | Night market with handmade goods & food | Free

Vegans Who Snack Food and Art Festival | 366 Parkdale Ave | Jul. 25, 1 pm | Vegan food, art, music, 60+ small vendors | Free

Antique, Vintage & Thrift Market | 1088 Somerset St. W | Jul. 26, 2 pm | Vintage market with food, art & dry bar | Free

Queer Market at Next Door Ottawa | 955A Gladstone Ave | Jul. 26–27, 7 am | LGBTQIA+ artists, vendors, 2-day celebration | Free

Gloucester Market @ St. Gabriel's | 55 Appleford St | Jul. 26, 11 am | Family market with vendors, raffles, BBQ | Free

Dumpling Fest Ottawa | Multiple restaurants, Ottawa K2P 2E3 | Jul. 30, 5:30 pm | Dumpling tasting plates from top restaurants | Tickets $55–$77

Nostalgia Music Festival | LeBreton Flats, Ottawa | Aug. 20–24 | Tribute bands from the 70s–90s, food, bars | Tickets $63

North American Festival of Wales | Sparks Street, Ottawa | Aug. 27–31 | Welshfest street party, concerts, hymn sings | Free

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Here’s a beautiful sunset over the Ottawa River.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• A new pop-up exhibition on Guy Lafleur will be running through the end of August at Zibi's Panorama Space in Gatineau. CBC]

• Help harvest surplus fruit, reduce food waste, and support your community. Join our free Neighbourhood Leader training July 24, 5:30–7:30 PM. Register here. [Sponsored]

• Here’s a discussion on restaurants using their own delivery service instead of Uber.

• Our food editor says this is a solid Middle Eastern restaurant, but it’s really the soups that stand out.

• Here’s a great Hungarian wine for the hot weather.

ON THIS DAY

July 18, 1925: The Ottawa Journal reported that 17-year-old Gordon Hutton, of Strathcona Avenue in Westboro, was caught for stealing a police inspector's car. It was found in a bush near Fitzroy Harbour a few days later.  Hutton was accused of taking the cart apart and replacing parts from multiple other cars. He was charged with theft after “a lively chase through the country.” 

July 18, 1961: Mayor Charlotte Whitton accused the federal government of “scattering its buildings over wide areas” of the city, and demanded they stop “because it’s costing the city too much to serve them. 

• That same day, the city of Ottawa said it would move forward with paving and widening Woodroffe Avenue despite objections and a petition from the community.

OTTAWA WORDLE

Think you can guess today’s Ottawa Wordle? Play it here.

STORIES THIS WEEK