Ottawa Light Rail

Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit Project Advances to Preliminary Engineering

Jerrod Riley — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:47:37 +0000

Artistic Concept of Train Station

Ottawa – Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project continues to hit major milestones.

Following approval of the Provincial Environmental Assessment, the City of Ottawa has now received formal authorization from both the federal and provincial governments to move to the next stage of the project. This allows the City to engage Capital Transit Partners, a joint venture of consulting engineering firms with extensive LRT infrastructure and tunnelling experience, to deliver the Preliminary Engineering component of the project.

Both the Federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure have provided the City of Ottawa with Approval-in-Principle letters for the OLRT project. This enables funding of project costs, up to 1.2 billion dollars in combined provincial/federal funds.

“The widespread support for our innovative, world-class transit plan is very clear,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “Three levels of government have delivered, and now that we have Capital Transit Partners onboard, I am excited to see our bold vision become reality.”

Councillor Alex Cullen, Chair of the Transit Committee, agrees. “This project continues to advance, on time and on budget. With the collective expertise we’ve brought on board, we will deliver a world-class transit solution.”

Capital Transit Partners includes Morrison Hershfield Limited, Jacobs Associates, STV Canada Consulting Inc, and URS Canada Incorporated. Selected after a rigorous competition conducted earlier this year, their previous projects include the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Hudson-Bergen Light Rail on the New Jersey Gold Coast, and the Sound Transit University Link in Seattle, WA.

Ottawa resident Bill Taylor, Senior Principal for Morrison Hershfield Limited, is enthusiastic about what this project will bring to the City.

“It’s not just about convenient and reliable public transit. The jobs, the economic growth and sustainable development that accompany LRT have been demonstrated consistently around the world. I’m proud my firm will now help bring those benefits to my hometown. Ottawa’s a great city that’s about to become even greater.”

The Preliminary Engineering work will advance the OLRT design to allow a more refined project cost estimate and prepare specifications for final design and construction. Preliminary Engineering will also include a value engineering process that will investigate options to manage project costs. Preliminary Engineering will commence immediately and be completed in early 2012

The $2.1 billion Ottawa Light Rail Transit project is the crucial first step in Ottawa’s Transportation Master Plan, which calls for more than 40 km of new light rail to be built over the next 20 years. Once in operation, the line from Tunney’s Pasture to Blair Station will provide reliable cross-town transit, alleviate congestion downtown and save OC Transpo up to 100 million dollars in annual operating expenses.

Province Gives “Green” Light for Ottawa LRT Project

Jerrod Riley — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:43:42 +0000

An artistic rendering of the new LRT station at the VIA Terminal.

Ottawa, 17 August 2010 –Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project is a big step closer to reality today, with the approval of the Environmental Assessment (EA) by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

“EA approval is a major milestone for this critical project.” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “This, combined with $600M dollars in previously announced provincial funding, and matching support from the federal government, is a strong indication that the City’s light rail vision is on track.”

The EA examined the potential impact of the planned 12.5 kilometers of light rail transit line from Tunney’s Pasture to Blair Station, and a tunnel through the downtown. The City submitted a comprehensive Environmental Project Report to the province in June 2010. The report examines everything from noise and vibration levels to air and water quality and the preservation of vegetation, wildlife and local heritage sites along the planned route, such as the Rideau Canal.

The EA process included many opportunities for consultation with residents, businesses, Aboriginal groups, and provincial and federal departments. Having reviewed the plan and the input provided by stakeholders, the Ministry has approved the plan.

“The province’s approval of the OLRT project’s EA represents an important step to bringing this project to construction. This acknowledgement by our provincial partners that the City of Ottawa is on the right track with the current plan,” said Transit Committee Chair, Councillor Alex Cullen. “A rapid rail line through a downtown tunnel is the solution to Ottawa’s transit challenges and the project’s approval by the province is a significant step forward in making Ottawa’s LRT future a reality.”

Approval of the EA is a significant milestone towards securing the provincial contribution agreement and federal EA approval. Results of the EA will be incorporated into the City’s next steps for project implementation, including property acquisition and preliminary engineering.

View Statement of Completion (0.5MB PDF)

View Notice to Proceed (1MB PDF)

Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Drilling Completed

Jerrod Riley — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:42:14 +0000

The first phase of the Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Investigation is now complete.

The drilling program, which started on May 3^rd, concluded July 9^th. A total of 23 deep geotechnical boreholes and 13 shallow environmental boreholes were drilled along the tunnel alignment, with a cumulative total of 975 metres (3200 feet) drilled.

The investigation will now move into the laboratory and office to analyze and interpret the data collected. These results will be provided to the Preliminary Engineering consultant this fall to assist in their design work.

Sampling of groundwater from monitoring wells will continue throughout the summer and autumn, but this work does not involve construction and should not disrupt the surrounding community. Additional geotechnical work will be undertaken during Preliminary Engineering along the entire project alignment and we will keep you informed about when and where.

The Rail Implementation Team thanks all of the residents and businesses for their cooperation and support throughout the geotechnical and hydrogeological drilling process.

Geotechnical Activity Report for 12-19 July 2010

Jerrod Riley — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:49:13 +0000

The Geotechnical & Hydrogeological Investigation is moving into its 11^th week. This week, the investigation team will be working at two locations in downtown Ottawa.

NW Corner of Queen and Metcalfe
NW Corner of Albert and Kent

A total of 23 geotechnical boreholes and 14 environmental boreholes will be drilled along the proposed tunnel alignment. The drilling program will provide the data that will help guide the preliminary engineering stage of the light rail project.

It is anticipated that each drill site will be active for up to 4 days. Drilling will cause typical construction noise and some traffic disruption may be necessary.

The City of Ottawa provides information on all Roadwork and Street Closures on the city’s website. To view current conditions, visit http://www.ottawa.ca/cgi-bin/trafficreport/report_search.pl?lang=en

Geotechnical Activity Report for 05-12 July 2010

Jerrod Riley — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:19:01 +0000

Geotechnical Drilling Status, As of 07 Jul 2010

The Geotechnical & Hydrogeological Investigation is moving into its 10^th week. This week, the investigation team will be working at three locations in downtown Ottawa.

NW Corner of Queen and Metcalfe
NW Corner of Albert and Kent
Rideau Street, at the Rideau Centre

It is anticipated that each drill site will be active for up to 4 days. Drilling will cause typical construction noise and some traffic disruption may be necessary.