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PRESENTING THE CONFEDERATION LINE
Hello Ottawa. We’re about to embark on the largest infrastructure project in our city’s history – Phase 1 of Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit System. It’s called the Confederation Line.
After a process of detailed planning, exhaustive review and strict competition, the City of Ottawa has selected a Project Team and Design Plan to recommend to Council.
This showcase presents the Team and Plan to the public for the first time. Show me the entire presentation Just show me station designs
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TRANSIT CHALLENGE
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TRANSIT CHALLENGE
- Ottawa’s population is projected to grow 30% by 2031.
- Public transit is already near or at capacity in the downtown core.
- We can’t fit more buses through the downtown—each added bus slows existing buses.
- Our city’s prosperity depends on moving more people more efficiently.
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HOW DO WE MEET THE CHALLENGE?
- A state-of-the-art light rail system with a capacity to grow to 24,000 riders per hour in each direction.
- A congestion-solving tunnel to rapidly move riders across the downtown.
- A public-private partnership with financial commitments from federal and provincial governments.
- A procurement process that successfully attains the best team and plan for Ottawa, on time, on budget, with a fixed price.
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PROCUREMENT PRINCIPLES
- Reward performance – maximize value to taxpayers by tying payments to results.
- Deliver on budget – fix building, financing and maintenance costs at the constructor’s own risk.
- Scale for growth – make it easy and affordable to grow capacity when it’s needed.
- Minimize disruption – innovate to minimize how construction impacts our day-to-day mobility.
- Serve the community – reward for accessibility, sustainability, public safety, public art, and enhancing active mobility options and facilities.
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THE CONFEDERATION LINE
Almost 150 years ago, an ambitious railway project joined east and west to help form Canada as a nation. Today, naming Ottawa’s light rail project the Confederation Line is symbolic of the power of rail to join us, and of the importance of light rail in building a sustainable future for the nation’s capital.
When Ottawa parties for Canada’s 150th birthday, the Confederation Line will be on display to Canadians from coast to coast.
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RECOMMENDED TEAM
Of the constructors that responded to deliver Ottawa’s light rail project, three world-class teams were selected to compete. Of these, the Rideau Transit Group was the clear winner, offering both the best design and financial proposal.
The members of the Rideau Transit Group have:
- Worked on 80 major global transportation projects
- Won $13 billion worth of projects in North America since 2009
- Completed 1,360 km of tunnel and 2,500 km of rail/mass transit worldwide
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INTRODUCING THE TEAM
The Rideau Transit Group is an integrated design, build, finance and maintain team that will serve Ottawa for 35 years.
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THE RIDEAU TRANSIT GROUP
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A PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Canada Line
(Vancouver)Start/End: 2005-2009
Completion: On budget.
Ahead of schedule.Barcelona Line
Start/End: 2003-2013
Progress: On budget.
On schedule.Ankara Metro
Start/End: 1993-2003
Completion: On budget.
On schedule.Seville Line
Start/End: 2003-2009
Completion: On budget.
On schedule.
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JOINING EAST AND WEST
Ottawa’s transit challenge will be met with a highly functional route alignment that crosses the downtown core underground. From Tunney’s Pasture in the west to Blair Station in the east, the Confederation Line will bring Ottawa together through faster, easier transportation to, from and across the city’s downtown.
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THE DOWNTOWN TUNNEL
We have reached the limit. We can no longer add buses to accommodate increasing ridership through the downtown core. During peak hours, buses are often bumper to bumper, moving slowly as they navigate 14 traffic lights, and compete with pedestrian, bicycle and car traffic. The Confederation Line graduates Ottawa to a traffic-separated downtown tunnel, following the success of major cities around the world.
The largest single undertaking of the light rail project, the downtown tunnel will be 2.5 kilometers long with three stations—Downtown West, Downtown East, and Rideau Station. During construction, day-to-day life will continue as normal, as state-of-the-art mining techniques will minimize impacts on residents and businesses.
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PROVEN AROUND THE WORLD
Paris, Barcelona, Dublin, Rotterdam, Istanbul, Melbourne, Jerusalem, Gdansk—one light rail vehicle moves them all. The Alstom Citadis.
The vehicle offered by the Rideau Transit Group is a top-of-the-line people mover that will bring a winning blend of reliability, energy-efficiency, performance and accessibility to Ottawa.
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THE ALSTOM CITADIS
- Used in more than 40 cities
- Over 1500 sold since 1997
- Over 245 million accumulated kilometers
- Proven in heavy snow and cold
- Features onboard bicycle storage
- 100 km/h top speed
- 98% efficient electric drive system
- 95% recyclable
- Low-noise performance
- Will be assembled in Ottawa
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SPACE TO GROW
The Alstom Citadis offers a scalable solution that meets our needs today and thirty years into the future. The vehicle can run as a single car, or be joined with multiple cars to meet fluctuations in ridership.
- Each single car measures 49 metres and can accommodate 300 passengers.
- 30 vehicles will enter service on opening day—a peak capacity of 10,700 passengers per hour in each direction.
- With a projected 25 additional vehicles in service in 2031, the system could move over 18,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
- The system can run trains as often as 1 minute and 45 seconds.
- Travel time from Tunney’s to Blair will be less than 24 minutes.
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ACCESSIBLE FOR OTTAWA
The Alstom Citadis is one of the most accessible vehicles in the world. It easily meets or exceeds all relevant accessibility standards. Features include:
- 100% low-floor passenger area and seat arrangement.
- Seven dual-leaf, 1.3 metres wide passenger doors to optimize passenger movement.
- One continuous unobstructed interior path connecting all accessible spaces.
- An air suspension levelling system to ensure platform alignment with vehicle.
- Priority seating with prominent signage.
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THIRTEEN NEW LANDMARKS
As functional as they are beautiful, the thirteen light rail stations will be both transportation hubs and community landmarks.
Each station features:
- Simple, attractive design
- Intuitive passenger flows
- Inviting and safe public spaces
- Integration with pedestrian pathways
- Accessibility best practices
- Public art showcases
- Design incorporating local Ash Borer timber
- Extensive features for cyclists
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BIKE TO RIDE, RIDE TO BIKE
Cycling is an integral part of Ottawa’s light rail planning. Stations have been designed to welcome cyclists and promote cycle-to-light rail commuting with features like:
- Ample weather-protected, well-lit bicycle racks located close to station entrances.
- Stairway bicycle runnels and double elevators to help riders bring bicycles on board during off-peak hours.
- Inclusion of new and existing cycling pathways within overall station design.
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WELCOME TO TUNNEY’S PASTURE
Tunney’s Pasture is the western terminal of the Confederation Line. The station will provide easy movement from bus to rail, and be a hub for Westboro and the thousands of government employees who work nearby.
Other station features- Easy connection with buses
- Large pedestrian plaza with retail
- Extensive cycling storage and integration with cycling and pedestrian networks
- Passenger washrooms
What’s nearby?- One of the federal government’s most important employment centres
- The neighbourhoods of Westboro and Wellington West
- Cycling and walking pathways along the Ottawa River
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WELCOME TO BAYVIEW
Bayview is a hub station that will connect the north-south O-Train with the new east-west Confederation Line, making the downtown even more accessible for O-Train riders.
Other station features- Easy connection with O-Train
- Pedestrian connections to Albert St., Tom Brown Arena and multi-use pathways
What’s nearby?- The neighbourhoods of Hintonburg and Mechanicsville
- Shops and restaurants of Little Italy
- Cycling and walking pathways along the Ottawa River
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WELCOME TO LEBRETON
LeBreton Station is at the heart of an extensive redevelopment of Booth Street. The station’s second level will run along a raised Booth Street Bridge that passes overtop of the light rail tracks. The station will play a major role in the long-term revitalization of LeBreton Flats.
Other station features- Easy connection to buses
- Integrated pedestrian and cycling networks
- Theme celebrating culture of the Algonquin people
What’s nearby?- Canadian War Museum
- Grounds for major events such as Ottawa Bluesfest
- Shops and restaurants of Chinatown
- The Heritage Bridge and Victoria Island
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WELCOME TO DOWNTOWN WEST
Downtown West is the first underground station. Entrances will be located on Queen Street in front of the Delta Hotel, and integrated into the Place de Ville complex across the street.
Other station features- A train platform located 17.5 metres underground
- Convenient access to underground north-south pedestrian route from Albert to Sparks Street
What’s nearby?- National Archives
- Supreme Court of Canada
- Major hotels and corporate office towers
- Shops and restaurants of Sparks Street
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WELCOME TO DOWNTOWN EAST
Steps to Parliament Hill and at the centre of Ottawa’s downtown business district, this new underground station supports the highest projected use on the Confederation Line. Entrances are situated at the corner of O’Connor and Queen Street, and through the atrium of the Sun Life building.
Other station features- Designed to accommodate intense peak volumes
- A Grand Hall Concourse 15 metres underground
- A platform located 19 metres underground
What’s nearby?- Parliament Hill and Confederation Square
- The shops of Bank Street and the Sparks Street Mall
- The World Exchange Plaza and many corporate office towers
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WELCOME TO RIDEAU
This underground station is a gateway to many of Ottawa’s most popular attractions. Entrances are located adjacent to the Williams Street Plaza pedestrian mall and in the northwest corner of the Rideau Centre at Rideau Street and Colonel By.
Other station features- Easy connection to local and regional buses
- The deepest of the underground stations with a platform 26.5 metres down
- Rough-ins for future entrances within the Rideau Centre expansion
What’s nearby?- Rideau Canal and National War Memorial
- Chateau Laurier and Ottawa Convention Centre
- National Arts Centre and National Gallery
- Byward Market and Rideau Centre
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WELCOME TO CAMPUS
Campus Station is located above ground at the University of Ottawa adjacent to the Rideau Canal. By connecting to the O-Train at Bayview, students can attend classes at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University with less than an hour between them.
Other station features- Inviting new public plaza
- Concourse with retail space
- Integrated with existing Canal underpass
What’s nearby?- The University of Ottawa
- The Rideau Canal
- An easy walk from Sandy Hill and the Golden Triangle
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WELCOME TO LEES
Lees Station is located within the existing transitway trench between the Lees Avenue and 417 overpasses. The station provides light rail access to nearby residential towers, and establishes the needed anchor for future development. It also provides rapid connectivity between the University of Ottawa’s Lees and main campuses.
Other station features- At-grade public entrance plaza
- Integrated multi-use pathway extending from Campus to Hurdman
What’s nearby?- High-density, transit-focused residential developments
- St. Paul’s University
- Main Street shops and businesses
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WELCOME TO HURDMAN
Hurdman is a major connection hub between bus rapid transit and the Confederation Line, as well as a key drop-off point for riders accessing light rail. An elevated station with a large public plaza at surface level, Hurdman also acts as an important gateway for new developments in the area.
Other station features- Seamless bus connections
- Concourse retail areas
- Designed for future growth
What’s nearby?- Pedestrian and cycling routes
- Rideau River
- Residential towers
- Planned developments along the river
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WELCOME TO TRAIN
Connected to Ottawa’s main VIA Rail Terminal, Train Station will help travellers get quickly and easily to and from VIA trains. With the building of the Coventry Pedestrian Bridge, the station also connects to the Ottawa Baseball Stadium and acts to further development in the area.
Other station features- Covered walkway to VIA Terminal
- Public plaza accommodating high special event ridership
- Concourse retail areas
What’s nearby?- VIA Rail Terminal
- Ottawa Baseball Stadium
- The Ottawa Train Yards
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WELCOME TO ST. LAURENT
St. Laurent is a two-level hub station that connects local buses arriving at surface-level with the Confederation Line at a lower platform. Accessible from five entrances, passengers can also safely access the station from the other side of the 417 via an underground walkway.
Other station features- Easy connection to buses
- Interactive art installation illustrating history of Ottawa development.
What’s nearby?- The St. Laurent Shopping Centre
- The shops, restaurants and businesses of St. Laurent Boulevard
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WELCOME TO CYRVILLE
Cyrville Station provides efficient access for neighbourhood commuters wanting to rapidly reach downtown and beyond. The platform runs beneath Cyrville Road with entrances above on each side of the road. The Station is projected to spur future growth in the area.
Other station features- At-grade entrance plaza
- Easy connection to buses
What’s nearby?- Growing residential neighbourhoods
- Commercial office buildings
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WELCOME TO BLAIR
The most eastern point on the Confederation Line, Blair Station plays a critical role as a high volume transfer station. The station design allows riders to move easily between bus rapid transit, light rail, and local commercial areas.
Other station features- Seamless bus-to-light rail transfers
- Integrated local walkways and 417 pedestrian overpass
- Passenger washrooms
What’s nearby?- The Gloucester Shopping Centre
- SilverCity Cinemas and IMAX theatre.
- La Cité collégiale
- The National Research Council
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KEEPING OTTAWA MOVING
Reducing the impact of construction on the day-to-day mobility of Ottawa residents was a major requirement for the winning proposal – and one the Rideau Transit Group exceeded. Key aspects of the plan include:
- Using planned 417 and Scott Street widenings to provide an alternative Bus Rapid Transit for the construction period, making room for new vehicle and cycling lanes upon completion.
- Taking measures to minimize operating cost impacts to OC Transpo.
- Minimize disturbance to homes and businesses near planned detours.
- A tunnel construction approach that minimizes street-level impacts for all transportation modes.
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REDUCING STREET-LEVEL IMPACT
The construction plan aims to build the tunnel with little surface-level disruption. This will be done by:
- Limiting tunnel excavation to three sites – the East and West portals and a Central location at Queen and Kent.
- Eliminating the need for “cut and cover” methods by using state-of-the-art mining equipment and techniques.
- Taking measures to minimize noise and vibration.
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Ottawa on the Move
The Confederation Line might be the largest infrastructure project in our city’s history, but it’s not the only work we need to do. Ottawa on the Move is a City initiative that is:
- Investing $340 million into sewer, road and water projects across the city over the next five years, accelerating strategic projects before construction starts on the Confederation Line.
- Providing tools and information to minimize traffic and help residents make smart travel choices to avoid construction.
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A 35-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
The use of a Design Build Finance Maintain model means the Project Team must provide a fixed cost not only for the initial build, but also for 30 years of maintenance. This model results in:
- Five years of construction with financial incentives tied to on-time completion.
- A quality build – since the constructor will also be tasked to maintain the system.
- Strong motivation for quality maintenance of the system over the long-term.
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A HOME FOR OUR TRAINS
The Maintenance & Storage Facility will be located on the east track at Belfast Road. It will be integral even before the system is in operation. All our trains will be assembled there, creating up to 100 jobs over a two-year period. Once the system is in operation, it will be home to 50 permanent jobs in vehicle maintenance.
Assembly, cleaning, inspection, heavy maintenance, wheel truing, washing and storage will all take place at this versatile facility.
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We are on Track
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Construction Schedule
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Station Schedule
