Traffic in downtown Ottawa is about to get a little tighter, starting Sunday, and it's going to stay that way for a while.

Queen Street will be reduced to one lane — eastbound only — from Bay Street east to Metcalfe Street, a change that will begin Sunday and carry over until 2018, when the city's light rail is expected to open.

The change will accommodate work to rehabilitate the street, improving pedestrian, cycling and vehicle infrastructure in anticipation for the extra foot traffic when the O-Train Confederation Line begins operations.

A signed detour will be in place to direct westbound motorists to Albert Street.

On-street parking and taxi stands will be prohibited on Queen Street.