Skaters can now cruise all the way from the Laurier Bridge, across Dows Lake to Hartwells' Locks.

A new section of ice nearly three kilometres long opened Friday afternoon on the south end of the skateway, the National Capital Commission announced. However, the 400-metre section between the Laurier Bridge and the National Arts Centre has now been closed due to thinning ice.

As of Friday afternoon, 7.4 kilometres of the 7.8-kilometre long skateway were open.

The first part of the skateway, a 4.3-kilometre stretch from the National Arts Centre (NAC) to Bank Street, opened on Jan. 14.