The notorious Cavanagh Bump is back. Hold onto your steering wheel

A van approaches the Cavanagh Bump in July, 2023. Photo by Julie Oliver /POSTMEDIAArticle content

The infamous Cavanagh Bump has made its grand return on Highway 7. And it’s just as bumpy as ever.

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Located in the eastbound highway lanes between Hazeldean Road and Dwyer Hill Road exits, the Bump has become a running joke and source of frustration for years.

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Some drivers claimed to go airborne when they hit the Bump at speed. In 2022, it was one of the Ottawa Citizen’s Newsmakers of the Year.

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Nicknamed the ‘Cavanagh Bump’ because of its proximity to the Cavanagh quarry sign, this stretch of highway has puzzled engineers since the early 2000s.

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The culprit? A drainage culvert buried under the road. In the winter, cold air enters through the culvert, freezes the soil above, and causes the pavement to rise higher than its surroundings.

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Until a permanent fix is found, drivers are once again gripping their steering wheels, bracing for liftoff. The Cavanagh Bump is back, and remains undefeated.

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In June 2022, the Bump was so large that highway maintenance crews installed speed reduction dropping the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h. Still, many drivers were caught off guard, and launched into the air when driving over it.

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In the summer of 2022, repair crews were sent out to the Bump where they dug up 100 metres of road across all four lanes, laid down styrofoam insulation and gravel to prevent future freezing, and repaved the whole section.

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For a while it worked. But then, the Bump made its return in July 2023, although it was not as high as the peak in June 2022.

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In a statement, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation said repair work is expected to wrap up later this year, and signs are up in both east and west-bound directions to warn drivers.

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The highway remains safe and is being monitored regularly, said the province.

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