Bridge closure forces Ottawa Race Weekend route changes

The ongoing closure of the Chaudière Bridge has forced Ottawa Race Weekend organizers to alter the routes of this year's marathon and half-marathon.

• Chaudière Bridge won't reopen until August

This year's Ottawa Race Weekend takes place May 25 and 26. 

The crossing was closed April 28 because of the rising Ottawa River, and has remained shut because engineers have been unable to inspect it for damage.

The bridge was already set to close for construction from June until August, and due to the high water levels it won't be reopen before that work begins. 

For the past several years, runners used the Chaudière Bridge to cross from the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway in Ottawa to downtown Gatineau. This year, runners will instead use the Portage Bridge.

Runners in both the marathon and half-marathon will head north over the Portage Bridge from the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway using the curbside southbound lane. Once in Gatineau, they'll turn west on rue Laurier and reconnect to the normal course.

Cyclists, pedestrians, buses and cars will still have access to the Portage Bridge, but runners will occupy a lane from 7 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 26. 

"We are grateful to all our partners in Ottawa and Gatineau for accommodating this change. We know this has been a trying time for our municipal and federal partners," said race director John Halvorsen.

"Fortunately, the impact on runners will be minimal and we hope that the runners will enjoy the change in scenery."

This year's marathon route will include a shortcut in Westboro from Athlone Street to McRae Street to make up for the extra distance caused by the change. Half-marathoners will take be a shortcut from Island Park Drive to Carleton Street.

Updated course maps and a list of road closures are available online.