O-Train Line 1/3 [Stage 2 | West Extension | Tunney's to Baseline/Moodie] | U/C

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OCCheetos

It is most likely going to be renamed "Algonquin Station".

Yup, Watson had confirmed that when Stage 2 winners were presented in February last year. Though with the City's tendency to change courses with no warning and lack of communication/consultation, that could change.

[Multi-modal]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

There seem to be some considerations that are missing from this plan:

Ok, I'm going to have to break down these considerations...

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Perhaps the biggest being that OC Transpo decided long ago to run its buses along Service Road and College Avenue, through Algonquin College’s campus. The Baseline BRT buses will not be crossing Woodroffe at Navaho Drive. Despite, originally, building the Navaho Drive structure over the train/bus cut (The bridge structures at each end of the ‘tunnel’ are separate from the ‘tunnel’ structure.) wide enough to handle bus stops, this idea was quickly dropped and College Avenue became the preferred bus routing.

What the City "decided long ago" doesn't matter in the future. Based on the latest information available the City is planning to build substantial BRT infrastructure on Navaho Drive between Baseline and Woodroffe. They are no longer planning on utilizing Service Road post Baseline BRT.

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

In fact, the City asked Algonquin College, which agreed, to turn their ACCE building around so that its loading bays were accessed from Navaho Drive, instead of the originally designed access from College Avenue.

Interesting, but not a huge constraint.

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Second, this plan does not take into account that the current ‘Temporary’ Baseline Station will need to be moved so that Algonquin College’s Health Sciences building(s) can be built. The City is, simply, borrowing the land (that they sold to Algonquin College) until the City gets the permanent Baseline Station built.

This is true, but...

1. In the near-medium term (i.e. before Baseline BRT west) the north-south Transitway road will remain - even under the current plan.
2. The City could and should initiate a process to retain long-term ownership of the north-south Transitway road and offer an alternative location for the Health Sciences building.
3. Even if the City didn't want to do point #2 above, after Stage 3 the north-south Transitway road isn't all-that necessary. The City could build a small-medium sized bus loop north of Navaho or elsewhere to accommodate the 86, 111, 84, and others.

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

At this point in time, there are few options; the new Baseline Station WILL be built south of College Avenue with the buses looping clock-wise around it.

I am well aware of the tangle of old secondary plans, transportation planning studies, and site plan agreements that have guided the City towards this solution. However, in 15 years will anyone care about that? No - they will just see a terribly designed station, that is illogically located 1.2km from Iris Station yet 600m from Tallwood Station, that abandons development closer to Baseline Road to be TOD in-name only, and that forces the major crosstown BRT route to add 800m and multiple 90-degree turns onto its itinerary. This is an example of planning momentum gone awry. Everyone can see that it is a bad solution, but they collectively shrug their shoulders and point to the study that came before theirs. The City needs someone to look at the problem without all of the historical baggage to arrive at the most logical solution for today and for the future.

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

[Aside: Since the Baseline Station is getting so far removed from Baseline Road, I would prefer the new station to be called ‘College Station’; since it is the primary stop for Algonquin College, is in College Ward and is at College Avenue.]

Agreed.

[J.OT13]

Another consideration (that had escaped my mind momentarily) for the City are the storage tracks planned just north of Baseline/Algonquin/College station. They start a few meters above the third entrance rough-in (from south to north) to about 40 meters north of Navaho for a total of about 110 meters.

There is still a little wiggle room for the station however, building these pocket tracks south of the station would be much more complicated (both technically for the build phase and for operational purposes once Stage 2 opens) and expensive.

See the O-Train Fans map. I'm unable to open GeoOttawa at work for more precise measures.

https://www.otrainfans.ca/system-map

[Multi-modal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Another consideration (that had escaped my mind momentarily) for the City are the storage tracks planned just north of Baseline/Algonquin/College station. They start a few meters above the third entrance rough-in (from south to north) to about 40 meters north of Navaho for a total of about 110 meters.

There is still a little wiggle room for the station however, building these pocket tracks south of the station would be much more complicated (both technically for the build phase and for operational purposes once Stage 2 opens) and expensive.

See the O-Train Fans map. I'm unable to open GeoOttawa at work for more precise measures.

https://www.otrainfans.ca/system-map

I'm curious why having the storage tracks south of the station would be worse operationally? I would think it wouldn't be easier to insert a train into service from that location.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Multi-modal

I'm curious why having the storage tracks south of the station would be worse operationally? I would think it wouldn't be easier to insert a train into service from that location.

I would imagine the switching from 2 to 4 tracks south of the centre platform station would be more complicated than the 2 to 4 fork north of the station.

Check the station graphic on O-Train Fans or GeoOttawa, and you'll understand what I'm saying. Might just be me who has trouble envisioning it.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

There seem to be some considerations that are missing from this plan:

Perhaps the biggest being that OC Transpo decided long ago to run its buses along Service Road and College Avenue,

It's a darn shame that via the Bus Act of 2004, all bus routes are immutable and can never ever be changed by anyone for any reason.

[Multi-modal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I would imagine the switching from 2 to 4 tracks south of the centre platform station would be more complicated than the 2 to 4 fork north of the station.

Check the station graphic on O-Train Fans or GeoOttawa, and you'll understand what I'm saying. Might just be me who has trouble envisioning it.

I'm not a railway engineer, but may this configuration could work

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Multi-modal

I'm not a railway engineer, but may this configuration could work

The configuration works, but requires more switches than the current planned layout, and possibly more track work and tunneling as well.

[J.OT13]

Not sure if this was posted. City of Ottawa release from nearly a year ago. The Stage 1 art program was one of the better aspects of the project, so the City decided to go with a different approach; 4 artist teams for the entire project instead of 1 to 2 artists per station.

WANTED: Artists for the Stage 2 LRT Project
March 19, 2019

The City of Ottawa is currently looking for artists to work on the future Stage 2 Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.Stage 2

The City of Ottawa has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Confederation Line and Trillium Line art opportunities. Artists have until April 24, 2019 to indicate their interest in developing art for the Confederation Line East/West Extensions and until May 1, 2019 to develop art for the Trillium Line South Extension.

Public art will enhance the transit experience for the many individuals, neighborhoods and communities across Ottawa that will benefit from Stage 2 LRT. The Stage 2 Public Art Program will see artists design and implement public art within five separate sections of the alignment:

1. Confederation Line East: One artist team will integrate art into Montréal, Jeanne d'Arc, Place d'Orléans, Orleans Blvd and Trim stations.
   
2. Confederation Line West #1: One artist team will integrate art into Westboro, Dominion, Cleary, New Orchard and Lincoln Fields stations.
   
3. Confederation Line West #2: One artist team will work to integrate art into Moodie, Bayshore, Pinecrest, Queensview, Iris, and Baseline stations.
   
4. Artwork projects will be created through a community and social engagement process for the Byron Linear Park & Richmond Road Complete Street Initiative.
   
5. The Trillium Line will feature new digital media artworks to enhance the user’s experience. One artist/artist team will be selected by an external selection committee to create new digital media projects in various spaces throughout three feature stations along the Trillium line: Gladstone, South Keys and Bowesville/Earl Armstrong stations.

Stage 2 will change the way we move around Ottawa. It will add 24 new stations and 44 kilometres of rail extending the O-train network farther south, east and west. That means shorter commutes, cleaner air, and a stronger economy. When complete, more than 77% of residents in Ottawa will live within five kilometres of rail. As with the Confederation Line, the City is looking to deliver a substantial public art program as part of the Stage 2 LRT project.

To learn more about Stage 2 public art opportunities, visit ottawa.ca.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401). You can also connect with us through Facebook(link is external), Twitter(link is external) and Instagram(link is external).

Public Inquiries

[email protected](link sends e-mail)
311
https://ottawa.ca
Media Inquiries
[email protected](link sends e-mail)
613-580-2450
https://ottawa.ca

https://ottawa.ca/en/news/wanted-artists-stage-2-lrt-project

[sseguin]

The city's motion of default to RTG can be found here, along with the press release.

https://www.otrainfans.ca/news/confederation-line-stage-2-lrt-update-fedco-march-9-2020

In addition, Stage 2 LRT construction update presentation can also be found on the same page.

[le calmar]

I noticed some site preparation was underway on the site of the future light maintenance and storage facility at Moodie. I also noticed they cleared the snow at Pinecrest.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by le calmar

I noticed some site preparation was underway on the location of the future light maintenance and storage facility at Moodie. I also noticed they cleared the snow at Pinecrest.

I have not yet had the chance to read the updates Shane posted on O-Train Fans, but from what I've been able to observe, Stage 2 is progressing very well. With the more conservative timelines, I'm hopeful they can produce higher quality work than Stage 1 (rushed work resulted in poor quality, rough finishings and significant delays), and a little quicker than estimated. Lessons learned from Stage 1 trains should result in more reliable Stage 2 rolling stock.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I have not yet had the chance to read the updates Shane posted on O-Train Fans, but from what I've been able to observe, Stage 2 is progressing very well. With the more conservative timelines, I'm hopeful they can produce higher quality work than Stage 1 (rushed work resulted in poor quality, rough finishings and significant delays), and a little quicker than estimated. Lessons learned from Stage 1 trains should result in more reliable Stage 2 rolling stock.

I tend to agree. Also, with all the tunnels being cut and cover, the risk of delays is significantly lower.

[J.OT13]

Received these Stage 2 updates over the last few weeks:

Moodie LRT Station Update: Land Agreement
March 2020

The City of Ottawa has recently reached a land agreement with Abbott Laboratories and the National Capital Commission in the area of Corkstown Road, at the future Moodie LRT Station. This agreement was pursued in order to accommodate better roadway connectivity along Corkstown Road as part of the Stage 2 project, once the new station is in place. Once a detailed road design for Corkstown Road (east of Moodie Drive) is completed and reviewed for contract compliance, it will be shared with the public. In a design-build project, design work for later phases of work advance while initial construction is already well underway.

Several construction activities are currently advancing in the area. West of Moodie Drive, at the future Light Maintenance and Storage Facility, site grading and other preparatory work is occurring. Just east of Moodie Drive, temporary office trailers are being installed to support workers throughout the construction period of the project.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Lincoln Fields Station Area Preparatory Works
March 2020

This notice is to advise that, as part of the Stage 2 O-Train Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, crews and equipment will be commencing preparatory works in the area of Lincoln Fields Station. This initial phase of activity includes the relocation of a storm sewer, construction of a temporary multi-use pathway (MUP) detour, and new MUP construction. This first phase includes installation of fencing within Lincoln Fields. Access to bus stops via MUPs will be maintained.

What:

Crews and equipment will be performing utility work and MUP construction in preparation for the future guideway and station construction. The public can expect to see activities such as installation of site fencing, directional signage, and the mobilization of heavy equipment.

When:

Crews are scheduled to begin the storm sewer utility relocation work in March 2020 and will continue through the spring months.

Why:

Relocation of utility lines is necessary to accommodate the future Confederation Line West system and station construction.

Where:

On the east, north and south sides of Lincoln Fields Station, and adjacent to the Transitway.

Hours of Work:

Construction activity is permitted to occur during daytime between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and between 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday’s and holidays. If you note construction activity outside of the prescribed hours, please call 3-1-1 for Ottawa By-law Services.


Anticipated Impacts:

Pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle access will be maintained, and will have directional signage; although minor delays to traffic may occur at times. Pedestrians and cyclists should pay extra attention and allow additional travel time.

Please note that a portion of the Woodpark Community Garden will be impacted as the project land parcel borders its north section, where spring utility and MUP work will occur.

The safety of workers and the public is paramount, and we thank you for your patience during construction.

To learn more or if have any questions, contact:
Damon Berlin
Stakeholder Relations, Rail Construction Program
City of Ottawa
[email protected]
Ottawa.ca/Stage2

Iris Station Area Preparatory Works
March 2020

This notice is to advise that crews and equipment will be commencing preparatory works in the Iris Station area. This work will include utility work, the extension of a culvert and the relocation of a bus stop. Please note, the bus stop relocation will take place in the weeks to come.

What:

Crews and equipment will be mobilizing in the future Iris Station area to extend a culvert and relocate a bus stop. The public can expect to see activities such as the installation of site fencing, mobilization of heavy equipment, construction of a temporary sidewalk and excavation work.

When:

Crews are scheduled to begin work in March 2020 and will continue through to summer 2020. Please note that construction schedules are subject to change with inclement weather.

Why:

Existing utilities and a bus stop need to be relocated to accommodate the future Iris Station and guideway.

Where:

On the north-west side of Iris Street adjacent to the Transitway, in a fenced area.

Hours of Work:

Construction activity is permitted to occur during daytime between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and between 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday’s and holidays. If you note construction activity outside of the prescribed hours, please call 3-1-1 for Ottawa By Law Services.

Anticipated Impacts:

Pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle access will be maintained although minor delays to traffic may occur at times. Pedestrians and cyclists should use extra caution as traffic patterns change. Transit service along the Transitway will continue to be maintained, although minor delays may occur intermittently. Motorists should be aware of and adhere to traffic control signage, posted speed limits and traffic control personnel.

The safety of workers and the public is paramount, and we thank you for your patience during construction.

To learn more or if have any questions, contact:
Damon Berlin
Stakeholder Relations, Rail Construction Program
City of Ottawa
[email protected]

[J.OT13]

Shane's interview with Pat Scrimgeour gave us a better idea of what train frequencies will be post Stage 2. Big thanks to both of you for this informative video!

According to Mr. Scrimgeour, the Confederation Line service will be divided as follows if we use a 3 minute rush-hour frequency:

1. Trains heading west will split past Lincoln Fields, so a 3 minute frequency in the central section, Baseline and Moodie branches will be serviced every 6 minutes.
2. In the morning rush-hour, all Baseline bound trains will leave from Trim, while half the Moodie bound trains will leave from Trim. The other half of Moodie bound trains will leave from Blair. So trains every 3 minutes to Blair and every 4.5 minutes to Trim.
3. In the afternoon, all trains will head to Trim, so 3 minute frequency.
4. Outside rush hour, all trains would start at Trim and split at Lincoln Fields.
5. After 11 pm, Monday to Thursday, all trains from Trim will head to Baseline. Anyone heading to Moodie will transfer at Lincoln Fields to catch a "shuttle train" (similar to the Airport line). Frequency after 11 pm for both the main line and Moodie shuttle will run every 15 minutes.

Of the 36 trains, 30 or 32 would be in service with 4 to 6 "spares" on any given day at rush hour, roughly matching the current, not too successful, ratio. Hopefully, train reliability will improve by then.

[J.OT13]

Additional Tree and Vegetation Removals on OC Transpo Property at Connaught Avenue
April 2020

As part of preparatory works for construction of the O-Train West Extension, tree removals along future alignment are wrapping up in many areas.

In the area east of the future Queensview LRT Station, additional lands have been identified requiring tree and vegetation removal, highlighted in purple in the image below. This work will begin April 7th and be completed by April 15th 2020.



Legend
Blue: Tree removals already occurred
Purple: Additional tree removals required by mid-April 2020
Yellow: Lands within the project right-of-way

These removals are occurring to permit construction of a temporary driveway for OC Transpo buses later in 2020 (a design is not yet prepared). During construction of the cut and cover tunnel from Connaught Park to the future Queensview Station, the existing access for OC Transpo buses onto Connaught Avenue will be closed.

Bus volumes on Connaught Avenue will not change; Queensview Drive will remain the primary access point for OC Transpo operations.

Once conflicting construction is complete, the temporary driveway will be reinstated to greenspace, and access will be restored at the permanent location.

To learn more about past vegetation removals as part of the Stage 2 project, including mitigation and reinstatement, please visit this page:
https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-en...-2-lrt-confederation-line-tree-removal-0.

[Marcus CLS]

New work has started this week for the SJAMP realignment near Dominion Station

[J.OT13]

Good to hear.

Drove by the near entirety of the alignment a few weeks ago. Lot going on at Lincoln Fields, with concrete pipe sections all over. Along Richmond, it's mostly just missing trees, not much else. Site office at Baseline, though not much is going on. If any work is being done there, it's underground.

There seems to be some activity at the Pinecrest off ramp and Moodie Yards, but not much.

[J.OT13]

I've been thinking a lot about Lincoln Fields, and the more I think about it, the more I realize how critical it truly is. Not only will it be a major bus-rail transfer, but thousands will be transferring between spurs.

I posted this last month. The information came from Shane's (O-Train Fans) interview with Pat Scrimgeour. It demonstrates how important Lincoln Fields will be the Confederation Line's operations.

1. Trains heading west will split past Lincoln Fields, so a 3 minute frequency in the central section, Baseline and Moodie branches will be serviced every 6 minutes.
2. In the morning rush-hour, all Baseline bound trains will leave from Trim, while half the Moodie bound trains will leave from Trim. The other half of Moodie bound trains will leave from Blair. So trains every 3 minutes to Blair and every 4.5 minutes to Trim.
3. In the afternoon, all trains will head to Trim, so 3 minute frequency.
4. Outside rush hour, all trains would start at Trim and split at Lincoln Fields.
5. After 11 pm, Monday to Thursday, all trains from Trim will head to Baseline. Anyone heading to Moodie will transfer at Lincoln Fields to catch a "shuttle train" (similar to the Airport line). Frequency after 11 pm for both the main line and Moodie shuttle will run every 15 minutes.

If someone from Moodie wants to go to Algonquin, they have to transfer at Lincoln Fields. If someone from Barrhaven works at the DND Nortel campus, they have to transfer at Lincoln Fields. If a worker downtown is heading to Centrepoint but doesn't want to wait on a crowded platform for the Algonquin train, they could jump on a Moodie train and transfer at Lincoln Fields. During reduced service hours, everyone heading to and from the Moodie branch have to transfer.

Achieving the proper configuration is paramount for the effective flow of passengers at Lincoln Fields. Thousands of daily riders depend on it. From what we've seen so far, we're headed on the right direction, but there have been some rumours that a new configurations is in the pipelines that will completely shatter the delicate balance of passenger flow.

Here's a little graphic I made using paint. It shows the current configuration, with the logical train directions. The west track heads to Algonquin, the east track heads downtown and the centre track is the Moodie branch. By having the Moodie track in the middle, passengers can disembark at either side of the train and transfer to an Algonquin bound or Downtown bound train. We could program it so that during day time hours, doors only open towards the Algonquin bound platform to avoid confusion. In any case, we will need announcement telling people which side the doors will open at all stations (and at Lincoln Fields, which side to take for Downtown or Algonquin).

The second image is what is rumoured. One side platform and a centre platform. Again, the west track is Algonquin bound, centre track is Moodie and the east track is Downtown. This configuration is only somewhat effective when Moodie ends at Lincoln Fields. Anyone heading from Moodie to Algonquin or vice-vesa will have to get off, get up the stairs and go back down to the other platform. I could have it reversed, but the same applies; if Moodie shares the Algonquin platform, than during night time hours, passengers will have to go up to the concourse and back down to the other platform to head downtown. Less than ideal and the possibility of missing your train, having to then wait another 15 minutes.

[zzptichka]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

It's my pet peeve that they will screw it up.
Same thing for the airport spur, and it appears they've already settled on the 2nd option for it, unfortunately. Say hello to hauling your luggage up and down the stairs.