Doug Hempstead

CBC Ottawa's traffic specialist

Doug Hempstead is CBC Ottawa's traffic specialist and can be heard on CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning and All In A Day. Originally from the Ottawa Valley, Doug is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience in the region covering all types of news. You can reach him when he's on air at 613-288-6900. Tweet him at @cbcotttraffic or @DougHempstead. His e-mail is doug.hempstead@cbc.ca.

Latest from Doug Hempstead

Stuck in highway closure backups? Here's how to avoid them, via CBC's traffic reporter

CBC traffic specialist Doug Hempstead breaks down how to avoid traffic caused by the 417 closure between Oct. 19 to Oct. 24.
TRAFFIC

Stretches of Bank Street, Rideau Canal driveway to be closed to vehicles

After weeks of lobbying, and examples set in Montreal and other cities, officials are moving to 'pedestrianize' some of Ottawa's streets.
TRAFFIC

Be mindful of detours around this weekend's Queensway closure

Highway 417 closes at the Nicholas Street exit from 6 p.m. Saturday until 11 a.m. Sunday.
TRAFFIC

It's slippery again, but dogs can help

It's slippery again after a few days of melt. If it wasn't for the dog, I'd be injured right now.
TRAFFIC

Spring is approaching — pothole season is here

Visibility will be affected on the highways due to spray from the rain and melt, but at least it won't be too grimy and require lots of windshield washer fluid.
TRAFFIC

OC Transpo scales back extra buses along LRT line

There will again be 12 LRT trains this morning with a slightly rejigged supplementary bus service.
TRAFFIC

Pedestrians, puddles and inattentive drivers don't mix

A real issue with this dusting of snow during a thaw is newly-obscured puddles.
TRAFFIC

Kent Street reopens early, but a nasty Hwy. 417 detour coming

The Queensway will be closed in both directions until Sunday morning so that crews can work on the underpass.
TRAFFIC

Capital traffic police targeting schools, impaired driving this month

The region's residential back streets and sidewalks are still covered in ruts and puddles.
TRAFFIC

Grippy footwear is a must today

Holy crow, is it ever slippery on Ottawa's sidewalks.