Prepare to see ramped-up security in the capital this New Year’s Eve following terror attacks worldwide.
On the heels of two deadly truck attacks in Europe this year Ottawa Police confirm the city will have concrete barriers blocking roads like Elgin Street during celebrations.
“That’s one of many tactics that terrorists are using around the world. So, as such, due diligence is that we have to consider that as a tactic and try and put some type of mitigating strategy in place. That’s what we’ve done in key intersection areas,” said Insp. Murray Knowles.
This kind of cautious behaviour can be seen many major cities worldwide including Cologne in Germany and Vienna in Austria. 65 trucks filled with sand will be used to block truck attacks in New York City's Times Square.
In Ottawa, police said there will also be a large number of officers on duty.
Katherine Cyr of Canadian Heritage said Ottawa Police will be in the downtown area along with RCMP officers, and Parliamentary Protective Services. Cyr addedsecurity will be checking bags as people enter Parliament Hill.
Alcohol is not permitted.
“I know its New Year’s Eve, but leave that at home,” Cyr said. “You can, however, bring hot cocoa or water. Just no alcoholic beverages.”
There will also be a number of roads closed during the celebrations.
The Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge and the following streets will be closed to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians from 8 a.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. on January 1:
- Alexandra Bridge and its pedestrian boardwalk, from Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa to Laurier Street, Gatineau
- The Laurier Street, Gatineau, on-ramp to Alexandra Bridge
- The Laurier Street sidewalk, Gatineau, between the Canadian History Museum and the Alexandra Bridge
- St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, between Mackenzie Avenue and Alexandra Bridge
- Murray Street, Ottawa, between Mackenzie Avenue and Alexandra Bridge
- Lady Grey Drive, Ottawa, between the Ottawa Rowing Club parking lot entrance and the National Art Gallery of Canada parking lot entrance
The Rideau Canal Locks and the following access points will be closed from 8 a.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. on January 1:
- The Valiants Memorial staircase on Elgin Street
- Under the Plaza Bridge on Elgin Street
- The Dufferin staircase on Wellington Street
The following streets will be closed from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on December 31:
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway, from Somerset Street to Elgin Street
- Elgin Street eastbound turning lane onto Laurier Street
- Laurier Avenue between Elgin Street and Nicholas Street
Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be closed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 31:
- From Fifth Avenue to Preston Street, for the annual New Year’s Eve Resolution Run
The following streets will be closed from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. on December 31:
- Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa, between Murray Street and the Château Laurier parking lot entrance
- Laurier Street, Gatineau, between Des Allumettières Boulevard and Papineau Street
The following streets in Ottawa will be closed from 4 p.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. on January 1:
- Elgin Street, between Laurier Avenue and Wellington Street. Patrons wishing to access the Lord Elgin Hotel will have access to Elgin Street southbound via Slater Street.
- Queen Street, between Metcalfe Street and Elgin Street
- Elgin Street northbound thru lane
The following streets in Ottawa will be closed from 4 p.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. on January 1:
- Wellington/Rideau Street, between Bank Street and Sussex Drive eastbound
- Wellington/Rideau Street, between the Château Laurier entrance (Elgin Street) and Bank Street westbound
- O’Connor Street, between Wellington Street and Albert Street
- Metcalfe Street, between Wellington Street and Albert Street
- Queen Street, between Bank Street and Elgin Street
- Sparks Street, between Bank Street and Elgin Street
The following streets in Ottawa will be closed from 8 p.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. on January 1:
- Metcalfe Street, between Laurier Avenue and Wellington Street
- O’Connor Street, between Laurier Avenue and Wellington Street
- Slater Street, between Bank Street and Elgin Street
- Albert Street, between Bank Street and Elgin Street
Mackenzie King Bridge and the following access points will be closed from 8 p.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. on January 1:
- Mackenzie King Bridge, between Nicholas/Waller Street and Elgin Street
- Confederation Park staircase
- Colonel By Drive staircase
- Nicholas Street staircase
- Nicholas Street southbound on-ramp, at Nicholas Street northbound
- Nicholas Street southbound on-ramp, at Mackenzie King Bridge eastbound
- Albert Street northbound and southbound sidewalk, at Mackenzie King Bridge westbound
- Albert Street sidewalk, at Mackenzie King Bridge westbound
- Slater Street northbound and southbound sidewalk, at Mackenzie King Bridge westbound
- OC Transpo customers can catch their bus on Albert or Slater streets and at Laurier Station
More information is available on the City of Ottawa website.
CTV Ottawa