Stage 2 O-Train Light Rail Transit Project (LRT)
West Extension
Queensway BRT Station to Algonquin Station
Winter 2023
OVERVIEW
The O-Train West Extension is one of the three major extensions to Ottawa’s Stage 2 O-Train Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project. The extension will add over 15 km of new rail and 11 new stations between Tunney’s Pasture to Moodie Drive and Tunney’s Pasture to Algonquin Station. It also comprises a maintenance and storage facility, 10 new bridges, 14 rehabilitated bridges and two tunnels. The O-Train West Extension will eliminate approximately 450,000 annual bus trips from the Sir John A. Macdonald (SJAM) Parkway.
This notice provides an overview of upcoming activities between the Queensway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Station and Algonquin Station. While the project continues to progress into the New Year, residents in the area may be impacted by construction activities including hours of work, noise from crews and equipment as well as pedestrian and vehicle mobility.
Residents should be aware that throughout 2023, there will be an increased requirement for nightwork across the alignment, and where permitted. Notifications to affected residents will precede all impactful activities occurring after 10:00 p.m., and a weekly summary of nightwork will also be shared at the outset of each week. If you would like to receive weekly summary of night work, please email
Meghan.Alexander@ottawa.ca to be added to the distribution list.
MAJOR WORKS
LRT Guideway (Queensway BRT Station to Algonquin Station)
Construction on the guideway south of Queensway BRT Station began in 2022 with a widening of the area east of the existing Transitway. The full guideway was opened-up for LRT construction between Iris Station and Algonquin Station in July, following the successful closure of the Transitway corridor in conjunction with the implementation of the Woodroffe Avenue detour.
Early activities in the guideway were focused on earthworks, including asphalt removal, rock breaking, excavation, and hauling of excavated materials. Excavation of the guideway will continue in early 2023. There have also been ongoing utility relocations, including watermains, storm sewers and gas lines which will be completed early in the new year.
Extensive drainage channels and duct banks are being established within the guideway and run the entire length of the corridor. The drainage channels ensure that rainwater is removed from the track area, while the duct system carries hundreds of miles of conduit for communications, train control and traction electrification systems. Installation of the drainage system began in July 2022, and completion of the drainage system and duct banks will be a priority in 2023.
Installation of the underground foundations needed to support the overhead catenary system (OCS) poles (which are part of the train’s electric power system) will be an additional priority in 2023.
When these works are completed, the guideway will be graded followed by the spreading of sub-ballast and ballast. Located immediately beneath and surrounding the ties, sub-ballast and ballast holds the track in place. Track work is expected to begin in the area in the summer of 2023.
Queensway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Station
Queensway Station will no longer exist when the LRT opens. Partial demolition of the Queensway BRT Station will take place in 2023, beginning on the east side. The west station entrance will remain intact so passengers can continue to access the station and buses, until the LRT is in revenue service and buses are removed from the Transitway.
Iris Station Area
In summer 2022, the new Iris Street bridge located between Parkway Drive and Adirondack Drive was opened to traffic with a realigned Iris Street allowing for excavation of Iris Station area to begin. The bridge will carry vehicular traffic and buses detoured from the Transitway south of Iris Station during the Woodroffe Avenue Transitway detour until the LRT is operational.
Construction of Iris Station will continue in 2023 with the installation of structural steel, mechanical and electrical systems, and glazing work. Station construction began in June 2022 and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023.
A new multi-use pathway (MUP) constructed on the west side of the Transitway south of Iris Street will enhance connectivity to Iris Station by joining with an existing MUP to Baseline Road. The section of the MUP that previously crossed over the Transitway will be closed permanently. The temporary configuration of the new MUP will open in the new year and will be moved to the final configuration when station construction and track installation is complete.
Baseline Road
Rehabilitation of the Baseline Road bridge crossing the Transitway was completed during the months of November and December 2022. These works required the closure of Baseline Road to vehicles between Constellation Avenue and Woodroffe Avenue. Additional restorative works underneath the bridge, on the bridge deck and Baseline roadway will be scheduled in 2023. These works will resort in short term impacts to Baseline Road.
Pinecrest Creek Stormwater Management Pond
Construction of the Pinecrest Creek stormwater management pond will continue in 2023. Construction activities will include excavation of the forebay (reservoir), construction of the inlet and outlet structures and a culvert.
Algonquin Station
The new pedestrian bridge that connects Algonquin Station and Algonquin College’s Centre for Construction Excellence was lifted into place in December.
Construction of Algonquin Station began in April 2021 and is expected to be complete in the summer of 2023.
Structural work at the concourse and roof levels at the North Station, South Station and Bus Operator Building, is complete, including steel, concrete, and glazing (windows), and elevators and escalators have been installed. Mechanical and electrical, and finishing works inside the buildings remain.
Within the station area, construction activities will include the completion of the duct bank from the new Bus Operator Building to the station, and parking lot construction including drainage, grading, flatworks, and paving. The final bus loop configuration is also expected to be completed in 2023.
COMMUNITY IMPACTS
Daytime hours of construction are Monday to Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday and on Statutory Holidays. However, there will be requirements for overnight and weekend work, where permitted. Night work is needed to accommodate work that cannot be done during the day (i.e. work that will have significant traffic impacts) or for works that are required to meet the schedule on this large and complex project.
Site lighting for overnight work will be required. Crews will place and/or direct the light to mitigate impact on residents.
Noise and vibration from crews and heavy equipment are expected. Trucks use approved haul routes and workers and contractors park in designated parking areas. Snow clearing, street sweeping and cleaning will be ongoing along truck routes and around construction zones.
All pedestrian, cycling, bus, and vehicular movements will generally be maintained during construction, with some detours. Pedestrians and cyclists should use extra caution when localized detours are in place and adhere to all posted signage, when travelling to ensure safety, as patterns may have changed.
The City of Ottawa thanks residents for their patience as we work to complete these construction activities.
Accessibility is an important consideration for the Stage 2 LRT project. The Stage 2 team makes every effort to provide access through and around construction sites. If you require disability-related accommodation, please contact stage2@ottawa.ca. The safety of the public and workers is paramount, and we thank you for your patience during construction.
https://mailchi.mp/ab5f0caadf57/90-d...5?e=c46f35d811
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It is trenched beside the highway a lot more than I thought it would. Given the recent issues with freezing rain, capping it should be seriously considered.
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