<P> The 417 is Ottawa's major east - west commuter expressway . It begins at the Ontario - Quebec border (continuing the route of Quebec Autoroute 40), reaches the urban portion of Ottawa at the 417 - 174 split, bisects the urban area, and continues westward to just beyond the city boundary where it gives way to Highway 17 in Renfrew County . </P> <P> The 416 starts at the 401 near the Ogdensburg - Prescott International Bridge and continues north for 75 km until it ends at the 417 in Ottawa's west end . </P> <P> The freeway section of Highway 7 branches off the 417 in Ottawa's west end near Stittsville and is currently undergoing a 4 - lane expansion to reach the eastern fringe of Carleton Place at McNeely Avenue . As of July 2011, the expansion was complete through to Ashton Station Road . </P> <P> Public transportation is handled by OC Transpo on the Ontario side, and the STO on the Quebec side . Together they serve a population over 1,130,761 and have an estimated annual ridership of over 113.2 million . </P>

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