OC Transpo Responds To Tunnel ‘New Information’

10/29/2024

This is a release from the City of Ottawa:

O-Train Line 1 – St-Laurent Station Tunnel Inspection

This memo is to inform the Mayor and Members of Council about the ongoing inspection of the St-Laurent Station tunnel structure that was advised in the memo on October 10, 2024.

In January and May 2024, some areas of concrete delamination were found in the St Laurent tunnel and in the ceiling above the station platform. Repairs were made to maintain the safe operation of the O-Train, and Infrastructure and Water Services Department (IWSD) advised they would carry out the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) inspection of the aging tunnel. This inspection has been underway as part of the current planned maintenance activities on O-Train Line 1.

OC Transpo and IWSD are working in an agile mode to respond to new information as it is received through the inspection. Engineering teams have identified an area of concern over a section of the track on the south side of the tunnel. IWSD needs to finalize and implement a mitigation measure in this location to ensure ongoing, safe operation of the O-Train. Until this work is complete, Line 1 will only operate on one track out of an abundance of caution.

For customers, this means that for the remainder of today’s service, Line 1 will only service the St-Laurent Station westbound platform. Customers can expect: • Line 1 will operate approximately every 15 minutes between Blair and Tunney’s Pasture stations

Customers will need to change trains at St-Laurent Station to continue their trip

Teams are assessing the timelines to complete the mitigation measures and OC Transpo will provide an update before the start of the service on Tuesday, October 29 of any ongoing impacts to Line 1.

Original signed by
Renée Amilcar
cc: Senior Leadership Team
Transit Services Departmental Leadership Team
Director, Public Information and Media Relations