OC Transpo Transitway detours: What you need to know to plan your commute

OC Transpo's east-end routes began a three-year detour at 3 a.m. Sunday that will affect about 70,000 commuters, according to the city.

The city has shut down parts of the Transitway from Blair to Hurdman stations until 2018 for the first phase of construction in Ottawa's light rail transit project.

The work will force 120 buses per hour to use new bus-only lanes on Highway 417 during the afternoon's peak hours — a plan approved by the city transit commission in April.

Customers who board the eastbound 95 route in the afternoon will see the biggest difference with a 12-16 minute delay during the afternoon rush. That's because the bus will need to service the St. Laurent station.

The new route 91 will be added to transport riders who want to bypass that added stop, with 37 buses added to service routes between Blair and Hurdman stations.

The new bus-only lanes, with white diamonds painted on the asphalt, can only be used by OC Transpo and emergency vehicle. Drivers caught using the lanes could face a fine.

There will be signage informing riders of the new changes and staff will be posted at the major bus stations to help out, the city said.

Bus station changes

• Blair: Moving east to temporary platforms. Route 127 replaced by 124. Route 96 and west-end express routes won't go here.
• Hurdman: Relocated in September. Most east-end routes bypass station (91 and 94). Westbound express and routes 124, 126, 128 won't serve station. 
• St. Laurent: No lower-level service (moved to upper level). No PM eastbound express routes. Route 91 serves riders heading westbound to downtown. No route 126 or 128. Route 127 replaced by 124. Pedestrian path from Tremblay Road closed.
• Cyrville: Closed, but riders served by Route 124 at bus stop on Cyrville at Cummings.
• Train: Closed, but riders served by routes 92 and 96 at bus stop near Via Rail station entrance.\

Route changes

Routes will take longer than usual and here is a breakdown of the difference to complete the route:

• East-end express routes 20-22, 24, 27, 30-31, 34-35, 37-38, 221, 231-232, and new route 91: five to seven minutes.
• 94: four to 12 minutes.
• 95: six to 16 minutes.
• 96: five minutes.
• No time change for west-end express routes: 60-62, 64-73, 77, 176, 261- 263, 283.

West-end express routes will start at Campus Station instead of Hurdman in the afternoon, though.

Route 91: Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. making up for delays on 95 eastbound from Orléans to Blair to downtown to and west to Baseline, but won't serve Cyrville, Train, Hurdman or Lees.

The City of Ottawa has tools to help motorists and transit users plan their routes and manage their commute:

• OttawaNav: City's mobile application for real time construction and traffic information.
• City of Ottawa Traffic Report: Outlining citywide road closures, traffic restrictions and detours.
• Travel Planner: Transit users can chart and plan routes.
• Interactive traffic map: Showing construction areas and live traffic cameras throughout the city.
• Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) cameras.
• Cycling maps and information: Detailing bicycle pathways and lanes throughout the city.

Poll question

On mobile? Tap here to vote on whether the changes affect you.