Ottawa – Today Mayor Jim Watson announced an improved tunnel alignment for Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit project. This new alignment, one block North to Queen Street, allows the tunnel to be constructed at a significantly reduced depth and remain under the street. Instead of twelve stories underground, the new alignment will only be four stories underground—making the tunnel less expensive, reducing risk, and resulting in an overall better system. The new alignment will be more accessible, offers better connectivity into existing buildings and will be more pleasant for riders.
“The plan released today proposes a new alignment and a more practical tunnel that makes a lot more sense,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “The resulting product— the first phase of our light rail transit system— will be a significant improvement and it will be less costly than the previous plan.”
These improvements came as a result of the new Council direction to re-evaluate the previous project assumptions. With the benefit of extensive engineering done over the last 8 months, a superior and less costly option was found. This means that the Ottawa Light Rail Transit project can be delivered for $1.74 billion in 2009 dollars or $2.1 billion in inflation adjusted dollars.
“I am very pleased that our work has paid off,” said Mayor Watson. “This Council will continue to put pressure on the private sector to innovate during the procurement phase and deliver the best possible project for the taxpayers of Ottawa.”
The City Treasurer also released a comprehensive Long Term Financial Plan for public transit for the next four decades. The result of this study shows that the City can afford to both build and operate the entire public transit infrastructure planned through to 2048, including ample room for this important first phase of light rail.
“As stewards of this city over the next four years,” said Mayor Watson, “we have a great opportunity to get behind this improved light rail project that will have benefits for our residents today and long into the future.”
Document 1 – Technical Overview
Document 2 – OLRT Business Case Update
Please… just build it already
Why not move the Downtown East station 1 block east between O’Connor and Metcalfe? It’s currently too close to Downtown West station between Lyon and Kent and too far from Rideau station and it would only be 1 block from the NAC and Elgin St.