Ottawa report moves LRT extensions forward

Following the release of a report on proposed east, west and south extensions to its light rail system, the City of Ottawa has found that the construction is “affordable” and so is moving ahead.
The Stage 2 LRT Environmental Assessment and Functional Design Report confirmed that extensions to the existing north-south O-Train (renamed the Trillium) line and to the east-west Confederation line now under construction could be built for $3 billion. This was the amount identified in the city’s two-year old transportation master plan.
The latest report sets out the functional design of the alignment and stations for each of the three Stage 2 LRT extensions: the Confederation Line West extension from Baseline and Bayshore to Tunney’s Pasture, the Confederation Line East extension from Blair to Place d’Orléans, and the Trillium Line extension to Bowesville/Riverside South.
The report also confirms the functional design and costs for a potential future extension to the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in the south.
When completed in 2023, Stage 2 will add 19 new stations and 30 kilometres of rail to Ottawa’s O-Train system, and bring LRT to within five kilometres of almost 70 per cent of the city’s residents.
Councillor Keith Egli, chair of the Transportation Committee, said: “This report is the culmination of years of planning and community consultation on Stage 2…. The results of the EA process to date have laid a solid foundation for the work we have ahead of us to implement Stage 2.
The report was to be considered by the Finance and Economic Development Committee on June 29 and by city council on July 8.