[hoggytime]

New lines including the line formerly known as 'Confederation Line'

Project Website

Current status (Feb 2024) :
Line 1 Algonquin-Trim U/C
Line 3 Moodie-Trim U/C


Previous discussions on SSP
Confederation Line East LRT Extension (Stage 2) [Blair to Trim] | U/C
Confederation Line West LRT Extension (Stage 2) [Tunney's to Baseline/Moodie] | U/C
Confederation Line (Stage 1) | In Service

 

[eltodesukane]

Mooney's Bay station is not at Mooney's Bay. What a badly chosen name...

 

[hoggytime]

Woohoo!!! In CTV News Today:

O-Train travels east of Blair Station for first time as part of LRT Stage 2 construction​

An Ottawa LRT train near Bayview Station in November 2021. (CTV News Ottawa)

Josh Pringle

CTV News Ottawa Producer and Digital Lead

The O-Train slowly travelled east of Blair Station for the first time Sunday evening, as construction continues on Stage 2 of Ottawa's light-rail transit project.

In a memo to Council Monday morning, OC Transpo acting general manager Michael Morgan said an Alstom Citadis Spirit train operated on the O-Train East extension for the "first time" from Blair Station to Montreal Station following the end of regular O-Train Line 1 service Sunday evening.

"Travelling at walking speed, the train was escorted by staff on foot to verify the interface between the train’s pantograph and the OCS while the train was in motion," Morgan said, calling it an "important milestone" on the O-Train east extension.

"Additional testing between Blair Station and Montréal Station is anticipated later this week as crews continue to test and validate the (overhead catenary system) system."

Morgan says OC Transpo was able to move a train east of Blair Station following testing activities including track commissioning, traction power substation testing and overhead catenary system testing.

As part of Stage 2 of Ottawa's LRT system, the Confederation Line will be extended 12.5 km east from Blair Station to Trim Road, with five new stations at Montreal Road, Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, Convent Glen, Place d’Orléans and Trim Road.

"Testing of the signal and train control system is expected to start this spring, after which residents will see regular, slow speed testing of trains on the line," Morgan says.

A report for the light rail transit sub-committee meeting on Thursday says the overhead catenary system cable installation is complete between Blair Station and approaching Jeanne d'Arc Station, with cable installation beginning east of Jeanne d'Arc station towards Trim Station. The energization of the Traction Power Substations for Montreal and Jeanne d'Arc stations will take place early this year.

"All trackwork in the east has been completed with the continuation of deficiency correction work," the report says. "Finishing works at Montreal and Jeanne d’Arc stations continue. Mechanical and electrical work is ongoing at Convent Glen, Place d’Orléans, and Trim stations."

OC Transpo has said full revenue service on the eastern extension of the LRT system is expected to begin in late spring 2025.
The western extension of the Confederation Line to Algonquin College and Moodie Drive is expected to open in late 2026, 17 months behind schedule.
The new north-south Trillium Line, operating between Bayview Station and Riverside South, is expected to open this spring.
Ottawa's light rail transit sub-committee will receive an update on the LRT construction on Thursday.

 

[hoggytime]

 

[hoggytime]

Bayshore Station is getting quite the expansion, but on the far side of the tracks past the bus link. Taken today.

 

[hoggytime]

I can't believe that Westboro Station is only beginning construction now. I would have thought they'd move East to West, but I guess not...

 

[Ottawacurious]

And slowly launch/expand as each new station is available? That almost sounds logical.
It might even create some momentum and demonstrate ongoing progress that could be marketed to build more excitement...and maybe even attract more riders.

 

[J.OT13]

The plan was to open the entire West extension in one shot, so the decision was to keep the Transitway open as long as possible. That's why Westboro and Kitchi Sibi are further behind. At this point, Westboro is the last station with no steel. Shouldn't be too long.

 

[hoggytime]

Trim Road today:

 

[J.OT13]

Is that the TPSS at the north end of the highway? Feels like they could have found a more strategic place that wouldn't impact future TOD.

 

[J.OT13]

Flyover Byron tunnel in February. Since then, steel has gone up at New Orchard Station.

Stations aren't underground, but they have nearly full canopies at platform level. They will feel semi-underground while still have the benefits of natural light and protection from the elements.

 

[J.OT13]

Project Spotlight: Parkway Tunnel​

The O-Train West Extension is one of Ottawa’s most complex construction projects.

Extending the O-Train System farther west from Tunney’s Pasture to Moodie Drive and Algonquin College is well underway. If you have ridden a bus in this area, you can see that we’re working hard to convert your current bus journey to rail.

While you’ve seen the work that is happening on the surface, The Next Stop Blog team is giving you a sneak peek on what is happening below ground on the Parkway Tunnel.

Approximately ten metres below the surface, crews are constructing a new underground tunnel that will see trains travel between Lincoln Fields Station, under Byron Linear Park, and through the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan to Kichi Zìbì Station.


The complete structure of the Parkway Tunnel, January 2024.

Click the image above for a closer look.

Let’s dig into cut and cover tunnelling and learn more about the O-Train West Extension’s Parkway Tunnel.

What is Cut and Cover?​

The tunnels on the O-Train West Extension Project are being built using one of the oldest tunnel methods, known as cut and cover.

Cut and cover is a method of tunnelling where a trench is excavated, a tunnel structure is built, and then covered over. This method contrasts with bored tunnels, which are constructed using tunnel-boring machines deep underground.

Each cut and cover tunnel section will be constructed using the following steps:

1. Excavation: The first step is to excavate a trench along the desired tunnel alignment. This excavation is typically done using heavy machinery such as excavators or backhoes.
2. Tunnel Structure: Once the trench is excavated, the tunnel structure is constructed within it. This structure may be made of concrete, steel, or other materials depending on the specific requirements of the project.
3. Covering: After the tunnel structure is in place, the trench is covered over to restore the surface above. This may involve backfilling the trench with soil or other materials and reconstructing any surface features that were disrupted during excavation.
4. Surface Restoration/track work: Finally, the surface above the tunnel is restored, including the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan and Richmond Road.

Where and when will tunnel construction take place?​

There are two tunnels currently being constructed on the O-Train West Extension.

The 3-kilometre Parkway Tunnel will run between Kichi Zìbì Station and Lincoln Fields Station underneath the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan and Byron Linear Park.

The 270-metre Connaught Tunnel will travel from Connaught Park, underneath Connaught Avenue, to Queensview Station.


3-kilometre Parkway Tunnel
Click the image above for a closer look.

The 270-metre Connaught Tunnel
Click the image above for a closer look.

Construction Progress​

Construction of the Parkway Tunnel in 2021
Click the image above for a closer look.

Construction of the Parkway Tunnel in 2022
Click the image above for a closer look.

Construction of the Parkway Tunnel in 2024
Click the image above for a closer look.
Crews began preparing for Parkway Tunnel construction in 2019 by relocating sewers, watermains and other utilities before shifting roads and pathways to make space for digging. By October 2023, crews achieved a significant milestone when they completed excavating the tunnel. In total, 500,000 metric tons of earth was removed.

Now, with the excavation phase complete, crews are focused on completing the tunnel’s walls and roof. Pouring of the concrete structure is expected to be complete by the end of this year. To optimize the building sequence, the team is using a special piece of equipment known as the Everest Traveler formwork system which allows for the tunnel walls and roof to be constructed at the same time. This is a hydraulic system that allows the team to pour 250 cubic metres of concrete every 10 days and can be modified at certain points as the track alignment bends or curves.


The Everest Traveler formwork system

Click the image above for a closer look.

With various sections of the tunnel walls and roof complete, the construction team will begin installing track infrastructure later this spring. As more sections of the tunnel’s structure are completed, track installation will advance further throughout the tunnel.

A renewed Byron Linear Park​

Byron Linear Park

Click the image above for a closer look.

As we approach the end of the project, work will take place to restore Byron Linear Park which will be enhanced to include more trees, less pavement, more public art, and additional plaza space for local events.

Stay up to date on the O-Train West Extension progress by signing up for our newsletter or visiting the project website.

Project Spotlight: Parkway Tunnel | OC Transpo

www.octranspo.com

 

[hoggytime]

We kind of have a subway in parts of Ottawa now. Here's what Google Gemini has to say about that:

There's a bit of nuance to the answer, so here's a breakdown:



The blurred line between light rail and subway/metro

• Capacity and Speed: Traditionally, subways/metros are designed for higher passenger volumes and faster speeds than light rail.
• Segregation: Subway/metro systems are almost always fully segregated from road traffic, running completely underground or on elevated tracks. Light rail can be fully segregated, but often has sections at street level.
• Names are Regional: Terminology varies between countries and cities. What's called "light rail" in one place might be considered a "metro" in another.

The Case of Underground Light Rail

When light rail runs underground, it starts to blur the distinction with a traditional subway. Here's why:

• Similar Infrastructure: Underground light rail shares similarities with subways in terms of tunnel construction and station design.
• But not always: Underground light rail might still have shorter trains, operate at slightly lower speeds, and sometimes intersect with regular traffic above ground.

So, is it considered a subway?

It depends on a few factors:

• Local Definition: How the city or transit authority defines its system. An underground light rail could be officially termed a subway.
• Technical Characteristics: If the underground light rail matches a subway in terms of capacity, speed, and full segregation, it gets much closer to being considered a subway.

Examples:

• Seattle's Central Link: Runs underground for long stretches but is designated light rail.
• Muni Metro in San Francisco: A light rail system, but its underground portions feel very much like a subway.

In short: Underground light rail systems can share traits with subways, but whether they're truly considered subways depends on local terminology and the specific characteristics of the system.

 

[J.OT13]

100%, I'd call what we have a "Metro" or even "Subway" (London and NYC are mostly above ground, but still called "Underground" or "Subway").

 

[J.OT13]