Tanger Outlets Ottawa opening causes Highway 417 traffic issues
Police, shoppers and Ottawa’s mayor worry traffic could become an ongoing issue as eager shoppers head to the new Tanger Outlets mall in Kanata.
The complex — which includes store like Coach, Nike and Brooks Brothers — held its official opening on Friday across Highway 417 from the Canadian Tire Centre.
The resulting logjam on the highway delayed shoppers and commuters alike as westbound traffic slowed down to a walker’s pace, even causing Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson to be nearly an hour late for his appearance.
Shopper Lorraine Dupel said the delays were substantial.
“I came from Aylmer, it was quarter to eight — it took me an hour-and-a-half to get here to tell me that the parking was full,” Dupel said.
But she said the savings at the outlet mall were worth the commute.
“I thought they would have the same price as the U.S. — I always go to those outlets — and they do,” Dupel said.
Highway 417 expansion nearly done
Later Friday, Watson said he wants to get the nearly-complete Highway 417 expansion open to traffic as soon as possible to help people driving to Tanger and the Canadian Tire Centre.
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“I’m frustrated by it and I just want to find out directly from the minister why this project seems to be taking so long,” he said.
“I know it’s a big project but it seems like almost all of the work is done.”
In the meantime, police and the city are asking drivers to avoid the area if possible on Saturday, including taking public transit to the shops and the Senators home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7 p.m.
There is a shuttle bus from the Canadian Tire Centre to Tanger Outlets on non-game days.
Shoppers and people going to events at the Canadian Tire Centre are asked not to walk across the Highway 417 overpass from one location to the other for safety reasons.
