Confederation Line (Stage 1) | In Service

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Norman Bates

When this LRT thing happens - and we make it through the first winter without trains getting stuck - Manconi will get the respect that he deserves. (As will Uncle Jim.)

Given what he has done to the most transit-dependent people and communities in this city during his reign of error, yes, I sincerely hope Manconi gets every last microgram of respect that he deserves.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by CityTech

^ Nice! Livens up what looked like a depressing cave before.

Too bad that the shelter for humans is yet another stupid greenhouse.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by kmcamp

I doubt the city wilk cover it as an exercise in itself, but I do see them selling the air rights and letting developers cover it over with yet more condos and apartments

They will spend millions on noise remediation in response to a few nattering nabobs of NIMBYism on the upper floors of buildings within two miles of Tunney's Pasture far more quickly and casually than they will spend one dime making it easier and more efficient to travel within the core by bus.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I think it's time to seriously consider covering the trench. Build a linear park that connects the north and south sides of the rail corridor, just like the Byron strip, as PHrenetic mentioned. The City could look at dipping into the Ward's park fund or consult with residents about a possible tax levy. They're doing in in Barrhaven to buy-out a golf course, why not have one for businesses and residents within 500-1000 meters from the trench. And yes, selling air-rights, at strategic locations at least, is another option.

Hopefully, this issue doesn't further delay the opening, however it can start a conversation. Covering an active rail line is not uncommon. Calgary's new central library and Vancouver's Expo Line between Portal Park and Waterfront stations are good examples.

How many more damn "linear parks" is there a market for in Ottawa?

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Gat-Train

People tend to be resistant to change. In a year from now, no one will say boo about loud train noises.

You will never hear the end of train noise complaints until the city covers the trench. These people have an idée fixe now, that trains are inherently noisy, that they are noisier than the technology they replace, and they will never let go of it.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

On CTV News Friday, they were above the rail line with a decibel meter, with readings reaching above 90. I wish they would have gone further down the trench near Westboro Station to make a proper comparison of the "before and after".

Who needs control data when you have anecdotes and angry neighbours?

[Admiral Nelson]

Why did you post 9 messages in a row instead of merging them into one?

Anyhow - I'm excited to hear what the mayor has to say on Friday. Hopefully we're getting a reliable system from RTG.

[rocketphish]

From public washrooms to retail, your station-by-station guide for the LRT

Jon Willing & Jacob Hoytema, Ottawa Citizen
Updated: August 22, 2019


Tunney’s Pasture Station



Location: Scott Street at Holland Avenue
Nearby neighbourhoods: Hintonburg, Mechanicsville, Champlain Park
Public washrooms: Yes
Destinations: Tunney’s Pasture federal complex, Wellington West restaurants and shops
Station lowdown: The station is the westernmost terminus for the Confederation Line until the Stage 2 expansion extends the railway. The station platform is in the rail trench below street level. It will be the main transfer station for west-end bus riders connecting to the LRT line. It’s one of the few stations that includes a small retail space.


Bayview Station



Location: Albert Street between Bayview Station Road and City Centre Avenue
Nearby neighbourhoods: Hintonburg, Mechanicsville, Centretown West
Public washrooms: Yes
Destinations: Innovation Centre at Bayview Yards, City Centre complex, Tom Brown Arena, Little Italy
Station lowdown: It’s the only municipal rail junction on the O-Train network. The north-south Trillium Line platform is on the lower level, while the Confederation Line LRT platform is on the upper level. The station will serve a massive condo complex at 900 Albert St. and a LeBreton Flats redevelopment one day. The city has also identified land between the station and the Innovation Centre as a good place for affordable housing.


Pimisi Station



Location: Booth Street, just north of Albert Street
Nearby neighbourhoods: Centretown West
Public washrooms: No
Destinations: Canadian War Museum, National Holocaust Monument, Bluesfest, Chinatown, future super library on Albert Street
Station lowdown: When (or, maybe, if) LeBreton Flats is developed, the station will be the main transit access for the district. The station will serve the Zibi mixed-use development on the Ottawa River and the future main branch of the Ottawa Public Library. It will be one of the transfer points for federal employees who work at the Terrasses de la Chaudière complex in Gatineau.


Lyon Station



Location: Queen and Lyon streets
Nearby neighbourhoods: Downtown core, Centretown
Public washrooms: No
Destinations: Library and Archives Canada, Supreme Court, Place de Ville buildings, Sparks Street
Station lowdown: Access points to the underground station are on each side of Lyon Street. The embedded Place de Ville access is on the north side of Queen Street. The station will be the main connection point for STO buses travelling between Gatineau and downtown Ottawa.


Parliament Station



Location: Queen and O’Connor streets
Nearby neighbourhoods: Downtown core, parliamentary precinct, Centretown
Public washrooms: No
Destinations: Parliament Buildings, Sparks Street, Bank of Canada, National War Memorial, National Arts Centre, World Exchange Plaza, Sun Life Financial Centre
Station lowdown: The underground station has embedded accesses in the Sun Life and Heritage Place buildings, with a third sidewalk access on the south side of Queen Street at O’Connor Street. The city predicts the station will be the busiest, since it services the parliamentary precinct and downtown offices and hotels.


Rideau Station



Location: Rideau Street at the Rideau Centre
Nearby neighbourhoods: Downtown core, ByWard Market, Lowertown, Sandy Hill
Public washrooms: No, but the mall is nearby
Destinations: Rideau Centre, ByWard Market, Shaw Centre, Château Laurier, Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa Art Gallery, National Arts Centre, Government Conference Centre
Station lowdown: Access points to the station are in the Rideau Centre and on the north side of Rideau Street next to the rebuilt Scotiabank. With a platform 26.5 metres below the surface, the underground station is the deepest in the tunnel. This station also comes with a small retail space on the level above the platform.


uOttawa Station



Location: Nicholas Street near the Corkstown Bridge
Nearby neighbourhoods: Sandy Hill, the Golden Triangle, and uOttawa campus
Public washrooms: No
Destinations: uOttawa main campus, Rideau Canal
Station lowdown: Access on station level or through an underground pedestrian tunnel. For cyclists, this station has connections to the campus, the nearby Colonel By pathway and the Corkstown Footbridge. And with the Rideau Canal on the other side of the road, you can imagine this will be a busy station for skaters and tourists come wintertime.


Lees Station



Location: Lees Avenue south of the 417
Nearby neighbourhoods: Old Ottawa East, Sandy Hill
Public washrooms: No
Destinations: uOttawa Lees Campus, St. Paul’s University, Main Street, Rideau River Trail, Gee-Gees’ football field, several nearby parks near the river
Station lowdown: Riders access the station through entrances on Lees’ north sidewalk, then take the stairs to the station platform below street level. Between the Lees and uOttawa stops, it will be just a quick hop for students of that university to get between the school’s two campuses.


Hurdman Station



Location: On the southeast Transitway just off of Riverside Drive near Industrial Avenue
Nearby neighbourhoods: Riviera condos, Riverview north
Public washrooms: Yes
Destinations: Rideau River Trail, Cancer Survivors Park, Ottawa Train Yards
Station lowdown: Hurdman’s main use will be as a transfer point between the Confederation Line and the southeast Transitway, with bus routes headed to Riverside, Billings Bridge, the airport and the General campus of The Ottawa Hospital. The station is on a raised platform to meet the track coming from a bridge over the Rideau River. There’s also a retail space on the bottom level.


Tremblay Station



Location: Right next to the VIA Rail station off Tremblay Road and the Vanier Parkway
Nearby neighbourhoods: Ottawa Train Yards, Eastway Gardens, Overbrook
Public washrooms: No
Destinations: VIA Rail, Train Yards retail outlets, RCGT baseball stadium
Station lowdown: With its entrance right next to the VIA Rail station, Tremblay Station will provide an LRT link to intercity rail travel, which could come in handy if VIA’s market expansion plans for higher-frequency trains come to fruition.


St. Laurent Station



Location: Nestled between the St. Laurent Shopping Centre to the north and the 417 to the south
Nearby neighbourhoods: St. Laurent Boulevard, Overbrook
Public washrooms: No, but there are in the mall
Destinations: St. Laurent Centre
Station lowdown: The underground train platform grafts onto the already-existing two-level Transitway infrastructure, creating a three-level station that feeds directly into the popular east-end mall. A new underground walkway will give pedestrians quicker and safer access to the opposite side of the 417.


Cyrville Station



Location: Underneath Cyrville Road just north of the 417
Nearby neighbourhoods: Cyrville, Cyrville industrial park
Public washrooms: No
Destinations: Industrial park south of the 417, businesses along Cyrville Road
Station lowdown: The station platform is directly under Cyrville Road just north of the 417, and pedestrians and cyclists can access the station through sidewalk entrances on both sides of road. Developers have earmarked the lands just north of the station for new condo and retail buildings.


Blair Station



Location: Just south of Gloucester Shopping Centre on Blair Road’s west side
Nearby neighbourhoods: Nearby condos, Pineview, Cardinal Heights, Carson Grove
Public washrooms: Yes
Destinations: Gloucester Shopping Centre, Pine View Golf Course, CSE, CSIS, Scotiabank Theatre Ottawa, La Cité
Station lowdown: Train riders can access the Confederation Line’s easternmost terminus for the next few years through the Gloucester Shopping Centre parking lot as well as a pedestrian overpass that reaches the other side of the 417 near Telesat Court. One new condo has popped up near the station with another on the way. It’s also a 10- or 15-minute walk from the station to CSE and CSIS headquarters, respectively.


https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...de-for-the-lrt

[Corvulpes]

a

[Hybrid247]

Yup, they only moved to 13 AM peak trains this week. In weeks prior, the PM peak runs generally performed well with 13 trains over a 3 hour period. PM peak headways are supposed to average 4 minutes, which they achieved increasingly more consistently as trials progressed. AM peak runs on the other hand struggled mightily. They were supposed to average <3.5 minute headways over a 2 hour period, but for whatever reason they really struggled with 15 trains on the tracks at once. That is why they decided to move to 13 trains and to relax the AM peak frequency requirements for trial running accordingly.

As Corvulpes mentioned, I think they'll continue to work towards achieving the original plan to run 15 trains during the AM rush period.

[J.OT13]

Thanks Corvulpes and Hybrid247. If they're able to maintain the same kind of service with fewer trains, then so be it. Hopefully they will be able to fix the issues so that we can have 15+ trains on the tracks at once eventually. I assume the problems were with the trains, not the Thales system?

I hope the City is honest about this during tomorrow's briefing.

[Badyouken]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Thanks Corvulpes and Hybrid247. If they're able to maintain the same kind of service with fewer trains, then so be it. Hopefully they will be able to fix the issues so that we can have 15+ trains on the tracks at once eventually. I assume the problems were with the trains, not the Thales system?

I hope the City is honest about this during tomorrow's briefing.

We'll see. They're bringing in politicians for the big announcement, so I'm not sure how much technical detail they will share tomorrow...

[lrt's friend]

So, they are fudging the successful completion of the 12 day trial by running with 13 trains instead of 15. Expect the trains to be more crowded than originally anticipated. We will see ...............

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

So, they are fudging the successful completion of the 12 day trial by running with 13 trains instead of 15. Expect the trains to be more crowded than originally anticipated. We will see ...............

If they're able to maintain the same service somehow, that's fine. If not, it sounds like they're moving the goal posts.

Maybe it is better to just launch what we have now and iron out the kinks as we go. Because there will be kinks, and beyond what is known now.

At lest we didn't accept the compromise proposed last year, with partial station openings (Rideau) and a much smaller fleet of trains.

The current bus service is at a breaking point and we need to move on.

I am a little worried about something I saw this morning; a west bound train parked at Cyrville, but beyond the platform (back-end at the front-end of the platform). I don't know how long it was there, but started driving forward again after a few seconds of us seeing it.

[OCCheetos]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I am a little worried about something I saw this morning; a west bound train parked at Cyrville, but beyond the platform (back-end at the front-end of the platform). I don't know how long it was there, but started driving forward again after a few seconds of us seeing it.

I've seen this happen before both on the Confederation Line and in videos of other systems (like the TTC). Usually it's just a train advanced as much as it can without overrunning an occupied signal block/area.

One thing I saw yesterday that confused me was a Hurdman-bound train sounding its horn briefly as it was climbing to the curve towards Hurdman from the river and then slowing almost to a stop before continuing into the station like normal.

[Hybrid247]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

If they're able to maintain the same service somehow, that's fine. If not, it sounds like they're moving the goal posts.

I assure you the trains aren't running any differently to make up for the missing 2 trains. The average headways have increased with the switch to 13 trains and, as a result, so have trial running 'expectations'.

[PHrenetic]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

I've seen this happen before both on the Confederation Line and in videos of other systems (like the TTC). Usually it's just a train advanced as much as it can without overrunning an occupied signal block/area.

One thing I saw yesterday that confused me was a Hurdman-bound train sounding its horn briefly as it was climbing to the curve towards Hurdman from the river and then slowing almost to a stop before continuing into the station like normal.

Good Day.

A theory........ intrusion detection system alert, and post-alert resumption ?

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I am a little worried about something I saw this morning; a west bound train parked at Cyrville, but beyond the platform (back-end at the front-end of the platform). I don't know how long it was there, but started driving forward again after a few seconds of us seeing it.

I've seen them do this before. And there were personnel on the platform observing. I'm sure it's some kind of test or emergency procedure.

[lrt's friend]

So, if we are simply reducing frequency, which means the number of trains per hour, are we going to have enough capacity? It seems based on past calculations, we may reduce the number of trains per hour per direction by about 2.5, which reduces passenger per hour capacity by 1,500. Will we need to maintain parallel bus service longer than planned?

[Truenorth00]

So how does the contracting work in this case? They were awarded a DBFOM to provide a capability that replaced the buses. Now they can't?

I fail to see why progress payments should be awarded if they don't meet the contract.

Also, I'm curious what guarantee there is that they'll be able to get the trains up to 15/hr in the future. Is is the actual vehicles that are unreliable or the tracks, signalling,etc?