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Hog’s Back Road will be closed between Queen Elizabeth Drive and Prince of Wales Drive for five days beginning at 9 a.m. Monday for emergency repairs to the swing bridge over the Rideau Canal.

Operators have experienced problems with the mechanism operating the bridge and the shutdown is necessary to make the fix, said Jasmine Leduc of the National Capital Commission.

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“Swing bridges tend to have lot more stress on them than regular bridges,” she said.

The bridge will be left open for the repairs, so boat traffic on the Rideau Canal won’t be impeded. But good news for boaters is bad news for drivers. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians will be detoured to Heron Road Bridge and the NCC and the City of Ottawa is recommending commuters cross the Rideau River and Rideau Canal well in advance of Hog’s Back.

“With all of the construction-related activities underway, residents are encouraged to be flexible with commuting times, stagger work hours or use alternative means for travel. The public is asked to consider options such as transit, walking, cycling or carpooling,” the city said in a media release.

Detour signs will be in place and police will be assigned to direct traffic. The bridge is expected to reopen on Friday, June 26.

bcrawford@ottawacitizen.com

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