LRT Completion Dates Missing From Report

Below are the relevant parts of a light-rail update report to be submitted to transit commission Monday morning.

Worth noting is that the eastern extension of the line was planned to be completed in 2022 and the report has no projected completion date. That is very important to Ottawa transit riders and taxpayers and draws into question the openness of city government.

The western extension was first planned to be finished in 2025 but that date has been extended into 2027. The report has no planned completion date.

2. Confederation Line East Extension Construction
In the east, final construction activities and train testing are well underway and nearing
completion. Remaining major fleet activities include software upgrades and operator
training.
Communication rooms and device configurations continue at all stations in the east, and
communication systems testing is expected to be completed in Q1 2025.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) certifications for elevators and
escalators are also progressing well and eight of 22 certifications have been obtained.
All Traction Power Sub Stations (TPSS) and station permanent power in the east have
been energized.
The communication-based train control system (CBTC) commissioning is well advanced
with multiple trains continuing to run in loops. Boundary testing between Stage 1 and
Stage 2 territories has been completed.
Correction of trackwork deficiencies is progressing well, and finishing work at Montréal,
Jeanne d’Arc, Convent Glen, Place d’Orléans, and Trim stations is expected to be
completed by the end of Q1 2025.
The works outside the guideway will be completed in two phases. First, and currently
underway, work on grading, drainage, headwall installation, slope finishing, top-lift paving,
guardrail installation and landscaping along OR-174 required for Substantial Completion
is expected to be completed by Q2 2025. Additional work on the slope finishing, top-lift
paving, guardrail installation and landscaping will be required to finish the OR-174
following Substantial Completion, which is considered part of “Remaining Works”.
Line 1 East Stations
Station occupancy for the east stations is nearly complete with deficiency closeout,
building code service reviews, and occupancy permits expected in Q2 2025.
Path to Revenue Service
The path to revenue service for the east extension includes Substantial Completion, Trial
Running and Final Safety Approval.
Substantial Completion will validate that the system infrastructure designed and built by
EWC meets the requirements of the Project Agreement.
Trial Running follows Substantial Completion and will demonstrate that Transit Services
and the maintainer, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM), can achieve the performance
requirements for passenger service.
Final Safety Approval is the final step before Revenue Service and will include a
statement from the Independent Safety Auditor that the system is safe for passenger
service.
Throughout this process, City staff will continue to apply the knowledge gained from
previous work, lessons learned, and current operations on Line 1, in addition to
recommendations from the OLRT Public Inquiry.
The City, EWC and RTM continue to work together to ensure a robust framework is in
place to achieve a successful launch. Details on this process, including the Trial Running
plan, will be provided at a technical briefing as the east extension advances further
towards Substantial Completion.
3. Confederation Line West Extension Construction
In the west, construction of stations, guideway, track, off-guideway utilities, and roadway
works continue in all areas. A series of traffic detours continue to be necessary to enable
various construction activities. Cut and cover tunnel construction was completed in 2024
with works now ongoing for guideway infrastructure inside the tunnel. This includes
installation of track, dry fire lines, and other tunnel fit-outs that will be required to run the
system.
Line 3 Stations
Structural work is nearing completion at all stations. Westboro Station is expected to be
structurally complete by mid-2025, and work has been progressing well with concourse
pre-cast panel and structural steel installation ongoing.
Interior finishes, including testing and commissioning of mechanical and electrical
components at stations, continue as they near closer to completion. These stations
include Moodie, Pinecrest and Queensview.
Construction of the platforms and work on the elevators continues at Bayshore Station,
and work on the permanent bus loop is expected this year.
Line 1 West Stations
Work on Line 1 west stations is progressing well. Interior finishes, including testing and
commissioning of mechanical and electrical components at stations, continue as work
nears completion. These stations include Lincoln Fields, Iris and Algonquin.
Construction of the pedestrian bridge at Algonquin Station is ongoing.
Light Maintenance Storage Facility (LMSF)
At the LMSF, curb and fence installation was completed and the first lift of asphalt placed.
Remaining flatworks will be completed in spring 2025.
Crews have completed work on the overhead catenary system (OCS) at the Light Rail
Maintenance Facility (LMSF) which is at the western limit of the project. Work for the OCS
is starting to progress east from Moodie Station towards Bayshore Station. Electrification
of the yard and start of testing is expected at the end of Q1 2025.
In addition to the delivery of the first train to the LMSF in fall 2024, two additional trains
were delivered by truck before the end of 2024 and have been reassembled. This allows
for testing to begin, including clearance tests, pantograph and OCS tests. It will be
followed by CBTC testing starting at the LMSF and gradually progressing eastward over
the next several months. Testing and commissioning of maintenance equipment at the
LMSF has been completed.
Currently, 17 of the 38 vehicles for the Stage 2 fleet have been delivered and accepted
by the City. Fifteen additional vehicles are at various stages of testing and acceptance,
and the remaining six are awaiting production.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
1. Stage 1 and Stage 2 Contingency Funds
The Stage 1 Confederation Line contingency fund is $115 million. To date, $102 million
from the total fund has been spent. Remaining funds are primarily related to property
requirements and remaining commercial matters.
The original Stage 2 contingency fund of approximately $152 million was increased by
$25 million (approved by Council on July 06, 2022) and an additional $110 million
(approved by Council on November 22, 2023) due to unforeseen costs and improvements
to the project. Approximately $238 million of the $287.6 million Stage 2 contingency fund
has been committed to date. As per the last funding report, a residual budget pressure is
forecasted for City and other costs; however, that pressure will be addressed at a future
date.
2. Stage 1 and Stage 2 Capital Budgets
In keeping with Council’s approved 2017 Stage 2 Report (ACS2017-TSD-OTP-0001),
2019 Stage 2 Report (ACS2019-TSD-OTP-0001), 2022 Stage 2 Report (ACS2022-FSD
FIN-0009) and 2023 Stage 2 Report (ACS2023-TSD-RCP-0017), approximately $4.264
billion has been spent as of January 31, 2025, and relates to the RTG MOU for Belfast
Yard and vehicle assembly mobilization ($454 million), Confederation Line extension
mobilization and construction period payments ($2.315 billion), Trillium Line extension
capital costs including financial close for the Revenue Vehicle Supply Contract ($834
million), and contingency ($171 million). The remaining $490 million was spent on
planning, procurement, project delivery and City retained scope.

Delays could have implications on the project’s budget. Staff will report to Committee
and Council on any adjustments to the contingency budget, as required.

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