Confederation Line (Stage 1) | In Service 1.0

[monkeybongo]

Great news for cellular access. Even if it's just a small run, it's great just for continuity of coverage ... you can continue that call. Also, I'm thinking at late night when the trains won't run as frequently, it'll be nice from a safety perspective for some people to have that cell coverage to call 911 in a urgent situation.

[Radster]

The trains and the stations usually have emergency phones / buttons anyway.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by Radster

Learn something new everyday! Today, I learned that CAT makes smartphones. Impressive! Where did you buy it?

I got it on a plan from Rogers.

Originally Posted by Radster

On a sidenote, how come none of the visuals of the Confederation Lines show the overhead electrical wires, or will the trains get power from the rail?

It's definitely using overhead wires.

You can definitely see them in some renders but a lot do leave them out, I suspect to make the trains look 'sexier' or whatever.

[lrt's friend]

Given that smart phones are now omnipresent, and it is typical that WiFi service is delivered by the owner of the venue, I am not sure why this is an issue. The telecoms don't provide service at Tim Horton's, it is Tim Horton's who have made that business decision. Likewise the city has made a business decision to offer WiFi in the tunnel. In the grand scheme of things, it is probably not a great cost to do so, and we need to look towards the future where connectivity will only become more important.

Regarding overhead wires in the tunnel, it would not make sense cost wise, to move to a third rail system inside the tunnel. This would certainly add cost to every trainset.

[eemy]

They aren't providing wifi, it's going to be cell network coverage.

[Kitchissippi]

They don't show the pantographs on the trains in most of the renderings, either.

What might be possible is that they use rigid overhead conductor rails instead of tensioned wires in the tunnel. These are more stable and require less maintenance.

[rocketphish]

Construction Update
Week of May 11

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LeBreton Flats Diversion Chamber works

Albert Street Civic and Booth Street Bridge

Construction continues for the LeBreton Flats Diversion Chamber and the Albert Street widening. Booth Street between Albert and Primrose is scheduled for closure May 12. Notice of Construction and Cyclist Detour available: www.ottawa.ca/confederationline.

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Lyon Station rebar and waterproofing

Lyon Station Cavern

Jawbreaker is excavating within the cavern. Works include installation of drainage, waterproofing and rebar. Sanitary pipe and conduit installation is ongoing.

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Lyon Station west entrance hoarding installation

Lyon Station West Entrance

Hoarding is being installed at the future location of the Lyon Station west entrance.

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Exterior hoarding is in place at future Lyon Station east entrance

Lyon Station East Entrance

Architectural demolition is ongoing at the concourse level within Place de Ville. Exterior hoarding is in place.

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Parliament Station support wall construction

Parliament Station Cavern

Chewrocka excavates east in upper drift and central pillar of the cavern. Support wall construction is progressing.

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Rideau Station cavern umbrella installation

Rideau Station Cavern

Crocodile Rouge is mining. Cavern support works continue with umbrella and rockbolt installation, and shotcreting.

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Caisson installation at Hurdman Station

Hurdman Station

Intermittent flagging is ongoing along the multi-use pathway. Caisson drilling for the elevated guideway, part of the station’s conversion to LRT, is complete east of the existing station.

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Final watermain relocation works at Blair Station

Blair Station

Final watermain relocation works adjacent to the Transitway occur and will be followed by construction of the bus loop that will be used during LRT station construction works.

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Electrical installation at the Belfast Yard Administration and Maintenance Building

Belfast Yard Administration and Maintenance Building/Vehicle Storage Shed

Crews continue painting, installing drywall, electrical and plumbing inside the building and completing the building envelope. Panel installation progresses on the shed. Yard works including duct banks and overhead catenary system foundations are almost complete. Preparations occur for track installation.

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Mud slab works at Belfast Yard

Belfast Yard Connector

Crews continue working on the connector; works include shoring and roof slabs, waterproofing, insulation, wall pours and mud slabs along the north and south sides as required. Electrical works and relocation the old watermain is ongoing on Tremblay Road.

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Paving in median lane on Highway 417

Highway 417

Watermain and sewer installations begin early morning on May 11 on Nicholas Street. Nicholas Street is reduced to one lane in each direction. Wiring is being installed on the high mast light poles and crews continue pouring barrier walls, paving and backfilling in the median lane. Installation of panels at the Robinson Avenue sound wall continues and intersection works, including curbs, are ongoing at Lemieux Street and St. Laurent Boulevard.

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Formwork to complete the median reconstruction on Hurdman Bridge

Hurdman Bridge (Highway 417 over Rideau River)

Pouring and stripping of the median span barrier walls, and formwork occur to complete the bridge’s median reconstruction. Intermittent flagging continues along the Rideau River east and west multi-use pathways. Short duration pathway closures will take place in the next weeks, as required.

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Final bridge works on Belfast Bridge

Lees Avenue Overpass/Vanier Parkway Overpass/Belfast Bridge/ Coventry Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge

Crews continue final bridge works for the next weeks; works include site clean-ups and paving at some of the structures.

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Upcoming Construction Activities

In the coming weeks, the following construction activities are scheduled to occur:

• Preparatory Scott Street widening works from Tunney’s Pasture to Bayview Road
• Watermain and sewer work on Queen Street for Lyon Station west entrance preparatory works
• Construction of Mann Avenue ramp
• Hurdman Station Hydro relocation
• Blair Station bus loop construction

Additional construction activities scheduled this spring include:

• Lyon Station east entrance excavation
• Excavation and shoring at the future site of the Rideau Station east entrance
• Hurdman Station substructure and foundation work
• Vanier Parkway staging area conversion to bus lay-by area during the East BRT detour
• St-Laurent Station utilities work
• Construction of the St-Laurent Station temporary ramp to Highway 417 westbound
• Pickering Place detour construction; detour will be used during guideway construction at the future Tremblay LRT Station
• Intersection lighting works in preparation for Tremblay Road phase 2 detour
• Demolition of the old building at 805 Belfast Road

http://www.ligneconfederationline.ca/construction/construction-update-22/

[MoreTrains]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Given that smart phones are now omnipresent, and it is typical that WiFi service is delivered by the owner of the venue, I am not sure why this is an issue. The telecoms don't provide service at Tim Horton's, it is Tim Horton's who have made that business decision. Likewise the city has made a business decision to offer WiFi in the tunnel. In the grand scheme of things, it is probably not a great cost to do so, and we need to look towards the future where connectivity will only become more important.

Regarding overhead wires in the tunnel, it would not make sense cost wise, to move to a third rail system inside the tunnel. This would certainly add cost to every trainset.

Not WiFi, actual GSM coverage. Which means putting transciever points in the tunnel. These transcievers are usually part of an individual company's infrastructure and in cities they 'rent' space on buildings to put up their infrastructure. Just look on tall buildings for whitish rectangular projections from buildings those are owned by Bell, Rogers or Telus and the bulding owners get subsidized with 'rent'.

If the city builds this infrastructure to provide GSM capabilities within the tunnels it would be equivalent to a public handout to whatever companies use them.

[1overcosc]

^ Well first, we should ask the telecoms if they can/will pay for it themselves. If not, I have no problem shelling out the $1M of public money for it. $1M is peanuts on a multi-billion dollar project and the value and necessity of this connectivity is more than worth it.

[TheGS]

I could see two main benefits to the average cellphone-bearing rider to have reliable cellphone coverage with strong signal in the tunnel:

1. Any existing call in progress won't be dropped
2. Friendlier to cellphone battery, even when not on a call. Most cellphone radios raise their transmit power to try to latch on to a weak/weaker signal, and this drains the battery faster. Weak (or no) cellphone signal is one of the major battery killers.

[MoreTrains]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

^ Well first, we should ask the telecoms if they can/will pay for it themselves. If not, I have no problem shelling out the $1M of public money for it. $1M is peanuts on a multi-billion dollar project and the value and necessity of this connectivity is more than worth it.

Then would we rent the equipment to the various carrier so they can extend their network coverage? Or will we keep it free and a public handout?

GSM is completely different from WiFi as in WiFi you purchase the equipment and the plan to get internet. With GSM, individual carriers provide the infrastructure and the individual 'rents' space over the air to get access. This is because providing GSM is a much more expensive endevour compared to WiFi hotspots.

Theoretically GSM 'hopping' is possible, where devices use other devices to connect to the network (so essentially hopping down the tunnel to a device and up the stairs to outside), but that hasnt been done yet and it is doubtful that enough people would be cool with it (due to percieved security concerns).

So, unless you cannot tell, I am fine with WiFi, based on the conventional consumer provider relationship. But based on that same relationship I am not cool with GSM coverage unless carriers either fund or rent the equipment.

[rocketphish]

Construction Update
Week of May 18

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Albert Street paving between Booth and Empress

Albert Street Civic and Booth Street Bridge

Construction continues for the LeBreton Flats Diversion Chamber while Albert Street widening is being paved. On May 25 traffic will be switched to the north of Albert and the MUP will reopen. Cyclist and pedestrian detour information is available at: www.ottawa.ca/confederationline.

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Jawbreaker mines the Lyon Station cavern

Lyon Station Cavern

Jawbreaker is excavating the top heading and central pillar. Works inside the cavern include installation of drainage, waterproofing, rebar and the installation of sanitary pipe and conduit. Backfilling occurs and formwork assembly begins.

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Place de Ville parking garage

Lyon Station East Entrance

Architectural demolition is ongoing at the concourse level within Place de Ville. Other works include electrical and mechanical relocation in the parking garage.

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Parliament Station cavern upper drifts

Parliament Station Cavern

Chewrocka is excavating in upper drifts and central pillar of the cavern. Umbrella installation occurs.

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Rideau Station cavern umbrella installation

Rideau Station Cavern

Umbrella and rockbolt installation, and shotcreting are ongoing. Invert concrete pouring occurs.

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Bus loop construction at Blair Station

Blair Station

Watermain relocation works adjacent to the Transitway are nearing completion as construction of the bus loop that will be used during LRT station construction works begins.

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Panel installation on Belfast Yard shed

Belfast Yard Administration and Maintenance Building/Vehicle Storage Shed

Work progresses inside the building, including painting, drywall, electrical and plumbing. Crews continue installing panels and glazing on the shed. Yard works such as duct banks and Overhead Catenary System foundations are nearing completion. Preparations are ongoing for track installation.

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Slab work at Belfast Yard connector

Belfast Yard Connector

Connector work continues, including backfilling, formwork, vent construction, waterproofing, insulation, and wall pours and mud slabs along the north and south sides. Electrical works, relocation of the old watermain and a short-term closure of a portion of the pathway are ongoing on Tremblay Road.

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Work zone on Nicholas Street

Highway 417

Watermain, sewer installations and lane closures are ongoing on Nicholas Street. Crews continue pouring barrier walls, installing wiring on light poles, paving, grading and backfilling in the median lane. Intersection works occur at Lemieux Street and St. Laurent Boulevard, including curbs and signalization.

---

Pouring barrier walls on Hurdman Bridge

Hurdman Bridge (Highway 417 over Rideau River)

In addition to waterproofing, crews continue pouring and stripping the median span barrier walls and approach slabs this week. Intermittent flagging and short duration closures occur as required along the Rideau River east and west multi-use pathways.

---

Site clean-ups at Vanier Parkway overpass

Lees Avenue Overpass/Vanier Parkway Overpass/Belfast Bridge/ Coventry Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge

Final bridge works continue at these structures, including paving, curbs, decorative precast panels and site clean-ups.

---

Upcoming Construction Activities

In the coming weeks, the following construction activities are scheduled to occur:

• Preparatory Scott Street widening works from Tunney’s Pasture to Bayview Road.
• Construction of Mann Avenue ramp.
• Hurdman Station Hydro relocation.
• Hurdman Station elevated guideway construction resumes with intermittent pathway closures.
• Pickering Place detour construction; detour will be used during guideway construction at the future Tremblay LRT Station.

Additional construction activities scheduled this spring include:

• Lyon Station east entrance excavation
• Excavation and shoring at the future site of the Rideau Station east entrance
• Hurdman Station substructure and foundation work
• Vanier Parkway staging area conversion to bus lay-by area during the East BRT detour
• St-Laurent Station utilities work
• Construction of the St-Laurent Station temporary ramp to Highway 417 westbound
• Intersection lighting works in preparation for Tremblay Road phase 2 detour
• Demolition of the old building at 805 Belfast Road

http://www.ligneconfederationline.ca/construction/construction-update-23/

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

• Preparatory Scott Street widening works from Tunney’s Pasture to Bayview Road.
  
• Construction of Mann Avenue ramp.
• Hurdman Station Hydro relocation.
• Hurdman Station elevated guideway construction resumes with intermittent pathway closures.
  
• Pickering Place detour construction; detour will be used during guideway construction at the future Tremblay LRT Station.

Did some research into those two, as I wasn't sure what they were.

Mann Avenue ramp is a special offramp that will be built to connect the 417 WB -> Nicholas offramp to the Transitway for westbound buses during the Hurdman-Blair closure.

Pickering Place will be extended to link directly with VIA's access loop road, as most of the exit part of the route will be closed as well for construction:
http://www.octranspo1.com/images/files/maps/stationMaps_June2015/Train_layout_2015.pdf

[Harley613]

Has anyone driven by the admin/maintenance palace? The whole building is being clad in massive glass panels. Is that kind of expense really necessary?

[1overcosc]

I know the building is being designed for expansion in the future as the fleet increases.

Perhaps glass is cheaper to remove for a building expansion than other materials?

[DEWLine]

Would be glad to know the business case for it.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Has anyone driven by the admin/maintenance palace? The whole building is being clad in massive glass panels. Is that kind of expense really necessary?

Unless the glass was required in the rfp the contract structure with however many years of maintenance would dictate it was chosen for a reason. 30 years with no painting and only a yearly pressure wash perhaps?

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Unless the glass was required in the rfp the contract structure with however many years of maintenance would dictate it was chosen for a reason. 30 years with no painting and only a yearly pressure wash perhaps?

That's probably right.

The RFP was pretty flexible, so RTG probably had freedom to choose whatever materials they wanted.

[MalcolmTucker]

Things can look expensive but not be over the long term. Like terrazzo floors. Or sealed granite walls.

The station materials will be interesting. Holding up to 30 years of bubble gum, salt from people's shoes, people trying to 'tag' the space, and be in day one condition on handover will lead to interesting choices.

[Dundas]

My first guess to the glass near the ceiling of the building would be so workers in the garage get natural sunlight when they work. Indy garage has this.