Work to begin on Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street bike lane redesign

A sign indicating there will be lane reductions at Elgin Street. Nov. 2, 2025. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Commuters can expect traffic disruptions at the intersection of Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street starting Tuesday as the city begins work to improve cycling and pedestrian safety at the intersection.

The Laurier Avenue cycling modifications project will see the westbound cycling lane converted to a raised cycle track on the north side of Laurier Avenue, from Queen Elizabeth Driveway to west of Elgin Street.

Queen Elizabeth Driveway’s on-ramps and off-ramps will also be realigned, and a “protected intersection” designed to increase visibility and create separation between pedestrians, cyclists and drivers will be created at Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street.

According to a statement released by the city, drivers should anticipate delays in the area while construction is ongoing, especially during peak hours.

During construction, there will be lane reductions on the two roadways, the city says. Additionally, left turns will be prohibited for westbound drivers on Elgin Street. Instead, motorists will be directed to take O’Connor Street to Somerset Street West to access Elgin.

Cyclists will still have access to cycling lanes, but the city says they may have to use pedestrian crossings on occasion.

According to the city, design for this project began in 2021.

The intersection was identified by the city as a “High-Volume Cycling Safety Location with heavy cycling and traffic interactions.”

In July, a 27-year-old woman died after being hit by a pickup truck at the intersection of Laurier Avenue and Elgin Street. In 2019, a cyclist died in a hit-and-run at the same intersection.

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