Transitway closes today between Lees, Hurdman stations

OC Transpo passengers who use Lees and Hurdman stations should get ready for major changes to their commuteas the city closes the Transitway between the two stations today.

The portion of the Transitway linking the two stations is being shut down so the city can work on the Confederation Line, the 12.5-kilometrestretch of light rail that will connect Tunney's Pasture station in the west with Blair station in the east.

The Confederation Line is expected to open in 2018. Both Lees and Hurdmanstationswill remain open during the work, but bus routes will be significantly altered.

• Full list of OC Transpo changes at Lees, Hurdman stations

Routes 85, 114, 176, 192 and 401 willno longer serve Hurdman station, nor will west-end express routes in the morning, according to information posted to OC Transpo's website.

The busy 95 route will still run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but will bypass Hurdmanand only stop at Lees in the eastbound direction.

At Lees, the lower level will be closed during construction, leaving only the upper level open.

Petition circulated

Local resident Tanya Hiebert circulated an online petition earlier this month after it was announced that only two routes, 16 and 85, would connect Lees station with the downtown and the University of Ottawa.

Routes 6, 16, 85, 101 and 103 will still stop at the upper level, while91, 95 and 98 will only stop at Lees going east.

OC Transpohas also announced additional early morning and evening routes will serveLees after getting "community feedback." Most of the extra routes arein the southbound and eastbound directions.

Afternoon express routes to Orlans will also bypass Blair Station during constructionto make the eastbound commute quicker.

As well, a new route, 104, will connect Carleton University students directly with Hurdman station.

More changes coming in January

Sunday's closure isn't the end of major changes to Transitway routes as the city prepares for light rail in 2018, however.

On January 17,LeBreton and Bayview stations will be relocatedto Albert Street as light rail construction begins on the stretch of the Transitway betweenEmpress Avenue and Merton Street.

Transitway buses will be rerouted to new bus lanes on Albert and Scott streets.