Confederation Line (Stage 1) | In Service 1.0

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by Dundas

I feel like this maintenance deal was added at the end of negotiations since you know how Jim Watson likes to save money. RTG really doesn't want to clean and maintain this.

No, including maintenance in the contract is a key part of the Infrastructure Ontario P3 process that is standard for all new infrastructure megaprojects in Ontario.

Originally Posted by Dundas

We will see what will happen. Anything can happen in 30years you know. Lets just say in 10years the cost of maintaining the stations, the trains and so on is more than what RTGs getting from the city. This can only go on for a short period of time until the maintenance company RTG chose backs out since they're loosing too much cash. Then what? If we have no bidders to take this money loosing maintenance contract then the city OC Transpo has no choice but to take it.

The bus shelters cleaning and maintenance was contracted out before and the company couldn't continue since they were going towards bankruptcy. So they backed out of it and the city couldn't find a replacement company so now city workers take care of it. I guess they forgot that teenagers like to smash the Windows of these shelters on a weekly basis.

There's nothing particularly radical about this sort of arrangement. Fixed price fixed term maintenance contracts have been around for a while, and they work.

The calculations and planning work that went into this was much more robust than a typical attempt at outsourcing. Furthermore, many other cities (such as Kingston and Calgary) already outsource shelter maintenance and it works for them. The collapse of the private contract for bus shelters you mentioned was due to overall city hall incompetency at negotiating contracts, not a fundamental problem with outsourcing maintenance in general. Thankfully this time around Infrastructure Ontario and qualified consultants did most of the work.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

That's the beauty of it. RTG can't change the fees. There are of course service standards RTG must meet that prevent them from cutting services to reduce costs. This means the only way for them to maximize their profits is to maximize efficiency. And as they're also in charge of station design, it means they'll design stations that are easy to maintain, considering possible operational savings when deciding the capital budget. If it costs them $10M* to install heated floors in a station, but doing so saves them $500k* a year on snowclearing--thus saving $15M over 30 years--they'll do it. If the city was in charge of everything, they probably would cut that $10M from the project "to save on costs" and not really care about the maintenance implications. Or you'd have a union of snowclearers create a public hooplah and force the city to leave them out, or some such.

Heated concrete is not new. GO has started installing heated platforms when they renovate stations in the GTHA. Even Carling Trillium line station has heated steps, this isn't a new concept in Ottawa.

[Dundas]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

The calculations and planning work that went into this was much more robust than a typical attempt at outsourcing. Furthermore, many other cities (such as Kingston and Calgary) already outsource shelter maintenance and it works for them.

Just one thing, this is Ottawa.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by Dundas

Just one thing, this is Ottawa.

And Ottawa wasn't much involved in the fine print of the contract. It was provincial bureaucrats who did most of that.

[ortelius]

I found this on the IBI group page:
http://www.ibigroup.com/projects/ottawa-lrt-confederation-line
The images are not updated, maybe the description is old too?

"IBI Group has been involved in coordinating local development and acting as a complete transit oriented development design consultant for the Bank of Scotia branch adjacent to the Rideau Station east entrance. IBI Group is also coordinating with world-class artists, such Douglas Coupland and Geoff Mcfetridge, to establish each station’s unique identity. The stations will provide passengers uplifting art complemented by the consistent quality of experience from the continuity and system-wide use of wood, signage, bike racks and entrance design."

And here are two other updated images from the confederation line website:

[CanadaGoose]

Originally Posted by ortelius

I found this on the IBI group page:
http://www.ibigroup.com/projects/ottawa-lrt-confederation-line
The images are not updated, maybe the description is old too?

"IBI Group has been involved in coordinating local development and acting as a complete transit oriented development design consultant for the Bank of Scotia branch adjacent to the Rideau Station east entrance. IBI Group is also coordinating with world-class artists, such Douglas Coupland and Geoff Mcfetridge, to establish each station’s unique identity. The stations will provide passengers uplifting art complemented by the consistent quality of experience from the continuity and system-wide use of wood, signage, bike racks and entrance design."

And here are two other updated images from the confederation line website:

Wait, so there's a centre platform and unused built side platforms at Blair? Make those used, and I am going to be amazed when it becomes rush hour at Blair. And why is the stairs going up, where's the buses downstairs?

edit: i forgot blair is the terminus, i thought it went to place d'orleans at that moment

[rocketphish]

Construction Update
Week of February 1

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Formwork in Lyon Station cavern

Lyon Station

Crews complete concrete pours on southern L-walls, to be followed by formwork and concrete pouring for northern L-walls.

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Excavation continues in the running tunnel between Parliament and Rideau stations

Parliament Station

In the Parliament Station cavern, Jawbreaker mines the north bench, followed by initial support. Excavation of the south bench will also begin.

Excavation continues in the running tunnel between Parliament and Rideau stations, in proximity to Metcalfe Street. Support activities such as rockbolt installation and shotcrete are ongoing.

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Tunnel support activities in Rideau Station

Rideau Station

Crocodile Rouge continues mining the south bench and support activities such as grouting are ongoing.

In the East running tunnel, crews complete waterproofing and continue pouring the final tunnel concrete lining.

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Electrical work at Lyon Station east entrance

Downtown Integrated Stations – East and West Entrances – Lyon, Parliament and Rideau Stations

Lyon Station west entrance: line drilling continues in preparation for blasting in the coming weeks. HVAC shaft work occurs including watermain relocation and piling.

Lyon Station east entrance: mechanical and electrical relocations are ongoing and crews continue concrete pours for the elevator shaft.

Parliament Station west entrance: crews pour columns at the parking levels. Structural steel work and electrical and mechanical relocations are ongoing.

Parliament Station east entrance: concrete work is ongoing at the parking levels, and crews mobilize to install interior hoarding. Telecommunication relocations are ongoing.

Traffic restrictions on Queen and O’Connor streets are in effect.

Rideau Station east entrance: line drilling and excavation take place this week.

Rideau Station west entrance: excavation and micropiling operations are ongoing followed by support activities including shotcrete.

Traffic restrictions on Rideau Street remain in effect.

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Concrete wall pours at Tremblay Station

Hurdman, Tremblay, St-Laurent, Cyrville and Blair Stations

At Hurdman Station, underground plumbing work continues and crews finalize duct bank installations. Preliminary construction work begins for the Hurdman Station permanent bus loop.

At Tremblay Station, crews continue concrete pours for footings and walls and work on underground plumbing. Rough-in installations take place.

At St-Laurent Station, demolition of the south platform is ongoing along with pouring of concrete walls and backfilling at the north side.

At Cyrville Station, crews form the stairwell and the roof of the operator’s building. Underground plumbing work also occurs.

At Blair Station, crews complete concrete wall pours. Backfilling and waterproofing occur, along with concrete ceiling wall pours.

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Preliminary work to form the deck at the Booth Street Bridge

Guideway– CPR Overpass, Booth Street Bridge and Rideau River Transitway Bridge

Crews mobilize to begin demolition of the CPR overpass as part of guideway work.

At the Booth Street Bridge, preliminary work to form the deck is ongoing.

Excavation continues at the south abutment as part of the Rideau River Transitway Bridge rehabilitation work.

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Upcoming Construction Activities

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

• Pimisi Station caisson installation.
• Lyon Station west entrance excavation including blasting.
• Deck work at the Hurdman Station elevated guideway.
• Deck work at the Tremblay Station guideway.
• Assembly of Alstom Citadis light rail vehicles.
• Watermain work near St-Laurent Station.
• Structural steel erection at Cyrville Station.

In the coming months:

• Tunney’s Pasture Station preliminary works.
• Transitway service adjustment from Lees to Laurier stations.
• uOttawa Station construction.
• Lees Station construction.
• Guideway and trackwork along the alignment.

http://www.ligneconfederationline.ca/construction/construction-update-58/

[Richard Eade]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Construction Update
Week of February 1.
.
.
Guideway– CPR Overpass, Booth Street Bridge and Rideau River Transitway Bridge

Crews mobilize to begin demolition of the CPR overpass as part of guideway work.

At the Booth Street Bridge, preliminary work to form the deck is ongoing.

Excavation continues at the south abutment as part of the Rideau River Transitway Bridge rehabilitation work.
.
.
.

I should know this, but which CPR overpass is being demolished?

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

I should know this, but which CPR overpass is being demolished?

I think it refers to the Transitway bridge at Bayview where the new station will be built. The Trillium line track was formerly CPR, was it?

[HighwayStar]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

I should know this, but which CPR overpass is being demolished?

Just guessing... but is this the Transitway Bridge over the CPR rail line which leads to the Prince of Wales Bridge??

[Richard Eade]

That's the only one that I could think of, but that that line is owned by the City of Ottawa, I believe. Also, I thought that they were going to re-use of the existing Transitway Bridge; just widening it for the side platforms. The term "demolish" kind of threw me a bit. Now that I think of it, they could mean removing the roadbed from that structure in preparation for the tracks.

[1overcosc]

^ They're moving the alignment; the LRT from Bayview to the tunnel portal is further south than the current Transitway (this is very noticeable on Booth Street where the LRT underpass is about halfway between the old Transitway intersection and Albert St), so they might have to build a new bridge.

There's also a very common convention in planning of referring to railways as "CN" or "CPR" forever, even when CN or CPR sell them. There are many lines that have since been purchased by VIA or Metrolinx that are still called "CN" or "CPR" many years later.

[citydwlr]

Small update from the mayor this morning via Twitter:

More light at the end of the tunnel: Crews broke through for the east entrance to the Rideau LRT station yesterday!



9:36 AM - 10 Feb 2016

[acottawa]

Another section of transitway closing in April.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tra...a-to-close-before-exams-finish-1.3442074

This one may be the worst of all.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by acottawa

Another section of transitway closing in April.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/tra...a-to-close-before-exams-finish-1.3442074

This one may be the worst of all.

It will actually have little impact for *most* compared to the current setup.

Routes 95 and 98 move over to King Edward to continue to serve Lees and provide some service replacing Campus. That can easily be bypassed by taking a 91 or 94 to Blair and then transferring, or taking another bus to Hurdman and transferring.

For all other routes, the impact inbound is probably no change from now, while outbound it is probably a 1 or 2 minute time savings by avoiding the loop ramp and extra stops.

What would I change?

* Route 92 (but not 96) should also be redirected to maintain a direct connection between uOttawa and Lees and the VIA Rail station every 30 minutes. Extra trips on both 92 and 96 that end at Hurdman should instead start or end at Mackenzie King.

* I'd move back the closing date of Campus Station to 7 pm (after the PM peak) on April 27 to coincide with the end of exams, or 11 pm that night if there are evening exams that day.

* Stops on those routes should be at King Edward/Osgoode, King Edward/Greenfield and the current stop at Lees (outbound). If such can safely be placed, a stop at the end of the ramp to Mann/King Edward should also be added to partially absorb Lees Station inbound.

* More 95's should be converted to 91's for a quicker trip eastbound, ensuring service about every 5-7 minutes during peak periods, every 10 minutes midday and every 15 minutes evenings and weekends on the 95. All other trips should run as the 91, including evening and weekend service.

[1overcosc]

The worst one was the Leeds-Hurdman closure. Now that the bridge is gone, Lees-Laurier is relatively simple.

My main concern is passenger waiting space at Laurier. Even before the Transitway diversions started the sidewalks at Laurier station got really congested at rush hour. With Campus closed a bunch of people who currently go to Campus are probably going to walk to Laurier instead, increasing its loads.

A quick and dirty temporary sidewalk extension with an asphalt pour is probably a good option. The Transitway doesn't have to be four lanes there.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

Routes 95 and 98 move over to King Edward to continue to serve Lees and provide some service replacing Campus. That can easily be bypassed by taking a 91 or 94 to Blair and then transferring, or taking another bus to Hurdman and transferring.

How will they be accessing King Edward?

[Kitchissippi]

Looks like there are some more new renders on the website.

The glass canopies at Tremblay have been replaced with metal ones with holes cut out of it so people can enjoy the rain



Blair seems really cheaped-out in this view

[Cre47]

Wouldn't be possible for temporary stops on Nicholas right at Campus? There might have to add some sidewalks and the space is limited but it could be possible even if it's not directly beside/at the current Campus station. Of course they would have to wave the no-pedestrian permitted on that section (between Laurier and my proposed temporary Campus Stop). That might be more possible on the downtown bound side though. I would have put the right lane on the entire stretch as bus lane only, I don't care if motorists would be pissed off. They've already went through periods with just one lane available.

[TheBrain]

Originally Posted by eternallyme

It will actually have little impact for *most* compared to the current setup.

Routes 95 and 98 move over to King Edward to continue to serve Lees and provide some service replacing Campus. That can easily be bypassed by taking a 91 or 94 to Blair and then transferring, or taking another bus to Hurdman and transferring.

The biggest impact will be on King Edward, it's already congested as is, imagine with more buses on it.


BTW anyone know if the pedestrian tunnel under Nicolas/Transitway will be kept open somehow during the construction? Or another temporary passage way. A lot of people cross there....