Route Description
The Parkway begins with on and off-ramps from Carling Avenue. The interchange is also the site of the Lincoln Fields Transitway station, with access driveways for OC Transpo buses. The Parkway proceeds north, passing under Richmond Road, then curving eastward along the Ottawa River. The Parkway follows the shore, with both directions separated by a grass median. The area along the river is mostly cleared of trees, allowing a view of the River and far shore line. The area to the south is partially forested, separating the roadway from residential areas to the south.
Approximately 1 km from the start of the Parkway, is the Deschenes Rapids scenic lookout area. Driveways connect the two directions of the Parkway to the area, which has a small parking lot and picnic areas. The road meets Woodroffe Avenue a few hundred metres east. Northbound Woodroffe Avenue traffic joins the Parkway's eastbound lanes, while traffic from both directions of the Parkway are allowed onto southbound Woodroffe.
The roadway continues east along the river shore until a signalized intersection with the OC Transpo Transitway. From this point east, the roadway is for the exclusive use of non-commercial vehicles and bicycles. The Parkway follows the river bank to the north, while the Transitway diverges east along an old railway right-of-way.
The next landmark on the Parkway is Kitchissipi Lookout and Beach. The beach is also known as Westboro Beach. The Parkway passes over a pedestrian access walkway from the residential area to the east, with an intersection to the beach parking area. The beach is provided with a pavilion overlooking the River and the beach, which has changing rooms and a restaurant patio.
The Parkway curves east and proceeds to a large intersection with Island Park Drive. Island Park connects north to Gatineau across a series of bridges over the Ottawa River. The intersection's traffic lights are controlled to provide turning signals. Just east of the intersection is another park and lookout area, provided with driveways to a parking lot near the river.
The Parkway continues east until a signalized intersection for access to the Tunney's Pasture campus of the federal government. An extra turning lane is provided to access the large parking lot of the campus. Further east, the Parkway passes over Parkdale Avenue, with on and off-ramps between Parkdale and the Parkway. A signalized intersection is provided to the east providing access to the Mechanicsville neighbourhood to the south, and Lemieux Island and its park and filtration station to the north, along an unnamed roadway. Access to and from the Parkway and this intersection is only allowed during off-peak hours.
The Parkway continues east into the LeBreton Flats area. The Parkway passes over a former exit to Preston Street. At this point, the Parkway diverges east from the river bank connecting to the extension of Wellington Street into the Flats area. Wellington Street continues east of Booth Street.
- Use by buses
It is closed to commercial traffic, so the majority of vehicles are private cars. From Lincoln Fields to Dominion stations, it shares traffic with the Transitway rapid-bus network, as well as STO buses from Gatineau (between Tunney's Pasture and the Champlain Bridge).
- Summer Sunday closures
On Sundays during summer months (Victoria Day to Labour Day), the Parkway's westbound lanes are closed to motor vehicles and opened to pedestrian and bicycle traffic from 9 am until 1 pm.
Read more about this topic: Ottawa River Parkway
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