A $22-million construction project on a section of Bank Street began Tuesday morning, cutting off a major section to traffic from Isabella Street south to Holmwood Avenue.

Detours will move vehicles, including OC Transpo buses 1 and 7, from Bank Street to O'Connor Avenue as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday as crews break ground in Ottawa's Glebe neighbourhood.

Detours in place The City of Ottawa has set up detours for vehicles, including city buses. See map.

The construction project will replace 100-year-old water and sewer pipes and rebuild the roadway, curbs and sidewalks between the Rideau Canal and the Queensway.

Glebe store owners say they expect business to dip during the construction and say they are hoping customers in the area can help keep them afloat.

"The ones that drive from other parts of the city might be reluctant to come because they'll know about the construction," said Clyde Ross, the owner of Mexican restaurant Feleena's.

The city has provided free parking at Lansdowne Park during the construction, as long as an event is not taking place.

Harikesh Deb, the owner of Light of India restaurant between First and Second Avenues, said he is worried about sidewalk access for his customers.

"This is their concern, and this is my concern. If I lose the customer, then it will be really, really hard for me," said Deb.

At the French Café, Myriam Kaszap had a more optimistic outlook, hoping the workers doing the jackhammering and sawing on Bank Street might come in for a regular brew and keep the cappucinos flowing.

"If you want a coffee, come in any time, we got coffee for you here," she said.

In the mean time, commuters like Nyree Coté said the construction will make them think of alternate means of transportation.

"It'll force me to walk and bike, if I ever get my act together in time," Coté said.

The city hopes to have the work completed by mid-November.