PROJECT SUMMARY
The O-Train East extension will see Light Rail Transit (LRT) continue from Blair Station to Trim Road, adding 12.5 kilometres of rail; 5 new stations to the O-Train network at Montreal Road, Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard, Orléans Boulevard (Convent Glen Station), Place d’Orléans and Trim Road; 4 new bridges; 6 rehabilitated bridges; 3 pedestrian bridges; 3 major culverts; and new noise walls on the north and south sides of Ottawa Route (OR) 174.
The LRT will travel in the middle of the highway.
OVERVIEW
In 2021, crews focused on moving highway lanes, relocating utilities and culverts, realigning traffic, and creating new intersections. They built new bridges and noise walls. The contractor completed preparatory work on all five new station sites and handed them over to the station construction team.
In 2022, construction work will be focused on installing the rail track and completing the guideway where the trains will eventually run. From April to June, drainage systems and gas piping for switch heaters will be installed, as well as permanent fencing, and the laying of ballast – large gravel that forms the bed of the tracks - throughout the guideway.
While it is exciting to see progress on the LRT project, we know that some activities may cause disruptions for area residents, including overnight work, traffic detours, site lighting, and heavy trucks in the area. Each Monday, the stakeholder team provides residents with a lookahead notice for overnight work that week. By emailing stage2@ottawa.ca and joining the distribution list, we will be able to share these updates with you.
MAJOR WORKS
Track Work
The track system is a synergy between state-of-the-art communications, safety systems and good old-fashioned concrete, steel, and rock. The track itself is made up of evenly spaced concrete rail ties and continuously welded steel rails. The concrete ties are placed on top of the rock ballast with specialized machinery that can easily and efficiently space the ties six at a time approximately one metre apart. The rails arrived in Ottawa in 24-metre segments, which were welded together on-site to make one continuous smooth riding surface.
The welded rail is now ready to be installed between Montréal Station and Jeanne d’Arc Station, with a total of 20 kilometres expected to be laid over the next three months. Rail will also be laid on the new bridges at the Montreal Interchange by a process called “direct fixation” whereby the rail is secured directly on to the concrete deck of the bridge. Over the last few months, a track mock-up at Trim Road provided opportunities to test and evaluate direct fixation. Direct fixation will be utilized on the bridge at Montreal Station as well as the OR174 Median Rail Flyover Bridge, which is located east of Blair Station. It is expected that all track work in the East will be completed in 2022.
Getting ready to install rail in the East in 2022
Blair to the OR174 Median Rail Flyover Bridge
Along the LRT guideway east of Blair Station, the area has been excavated, drainage is being installed and gas lines relocated. Construction of a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining wall on the west abutment is complete. As well, preparation of the sub-grade and granular placement has commenced.
In the coming weeks, a decommissioned transit bridge will be demolished to make way for the guideway. This has been scheduled for the weekend of May 6-8, 2022 (contingency May 13-15). During the demolition, the OR 174 will be closed in both directions. Highway detours and signage will be put in place and communicated in advance of the start of the work.
East of Blair Station showing the Median Rail Flyover Bridge in the background (to the right of Gloucester High School field) and in the foreground, the decommissioned transit bridge to be demolished.
OR174 Median Rail (Flyover) Bridge to Montreal Road Interchange
Work on the OR174 Median Rail Bridge, located 800 metres east of the OR174 Blair Road Interchange is now complete and ready for rail to be installed this year. Other activities in the area include construction of a new multi-use pathway, initial ballast placement, and the installation of jersey barriers and permanent fencing.
Montréal Station
Station construction has begun and will continue to Spring of 2023, with bridge bases and station foundation work underway. Crews will complete the westbound safety barriers and bridge barrier walls this spring. Trackwork and the direct fixation of rail on the upper deck of the Montreal Road bridge (as described in the Track Work section above) will take place in mid-April.
Green’s Creek
Watch for the arrival of the new Green’s Creek Pedestrian Bridge this May. Once installed the bridge is expected to improve local connections to pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. The new bridge will be delivered in several large pieces and assembled on site. After it is welded together, it will be lifted by crane and bolted into place.
Building the abutments for the new pedestrian bridge at Green’s Creek
Jeanne d’Arc Station
Jeanne d’Arc station construction has been ongoing since May 2021 and is progressing with concrete, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing works for the station footings, walls, and slabs. This work continues in 2022. West of Jeanne D’Arc, drainage work in the guideway is complete.
Convent Glen Station
Convent Glen station excavation has been ongoing since September 2021. Station construction began early this year. Activities include utilities and station servicing, watermain work, and column construction.
Place d’Orléans Station
Construction of the future Place d’Orléans LRT Station is underway with excavation, formwork, and rebar installation. This work will continue throughout 2022. A new pedestrian footbridge will be installed in the summer.
The east side of the new Place D’Orléans Station, looking west
Trim Station
Construction of the OC Transpo Park and Ride lot is almost complete with work on lights, sidewalks, and curbs remaining at the site of the future Park and Ride and Trim LRT Station. Excavation, drainage and grading in the guideway is well underway. Trim Station construction began in November 2021. Crews are working on foundations and formwork.
Noise Walls
The construction of noise walls began last May along the north side of OR174. Noise walls are constructed in stages; first by building an earth berm and drainage trenches, then drilling and installing support posts and pre-cast panels. Finally, berms are landscaped.
Two walls on the north side were completed in 2021 and two more are close to completion. A third noise wall on the north side of OR174, west of Montreal Road by East Acres, is slated to begin in April 2022.
On the south side of the highway, additional sound attenuation and noise barriers are being planned. Survey work began this spring to assist with the design and alignment of new noise walls. Upon approval, construction may commence in 2022 and 2023.
COMMUNITY IMPACTS
Typically, most construction is scheduled from Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm (for example, this is when station work is done). However, there will be requirements for overnight work across the entire corridor and some intermittent weekend work.
Overnight work is needed at times to accommodate traffic closures, which cannot be done during the day. Overnight work takes place predominantly in the guideway and is dependent upon complex work sequencing and the scheduling of crews and available equipment.
Noise and vibration from trucks and heavy equipment is to be expected. Noise and vibration levels are monitored and reported to the City of Ottawa to ensure they are within the limits established for the project. For residents whose properties border on the construction zones, equipment in the area may cause additional noise and occasional vibration as the work progresses.
Site lighting is required to maintain safe working conditions for workers. Use of large lights will be minimized with special attention paid to directing away from homes, roadways, and businesses.
During roadwork activities, motorists can expect lane reductions and closures. Impacts will be communicated to the public by the City of Ottawa. You can sign up for the City’s electronic newsletter as outlined below.
All pedestrian, cycling, bus, and vehicular movements will generally be maintained during construction except for highway ramp closures. Pedestrians and cyclists should use extra caution when localized detours are in place. Motorists should adhere to detours, traffic control signage, and posted speed limits and allow for added travel time when moving through active construction corridors.
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.
The City of Ottawa thanks residents for their patience as we work to complete these construction activities; the safety of the public and the construction crews is paramount.
Note: all future 90-Day Lookaheads will be distributed electronically only
To ensure you receive the latest updates, please click this link to sign up
If you require a printed notice, please call 613 915-7087
CONTACT US
Dianna Ashworth
Stakeholder Relations
Rail Construction Program, City of Ottawa
dianna.ashworth1@ottawa.ca
