Heart of Orléans BIA

LRT Phase 2 – Confederation Line East Extension

The Confederation Line East is one of the three major extensions to Ottawa’s light rail transit system and will see LRT continue from Blair Road to Place d’Orléans and go all the way to Trim Road.

 

The Confederation Line East Extension project will include 12 kilometres of rail offering stops at five new stations: Montreal Station, Jeanne d’Arc Station, Orléans Boulevard, Place d’Orléans, and Trim.

 

To further explore the Confederation Line East, please use the City of Ottawa’s Stage 2 LRT Interactive Map.

LRT Progress - Click to Read

Concept Drawings of Orléans LRT Stations

s montreal station

MONTREAL STATION

s jeanne darc station

JEANNE D’ARC STATION

s orleans boulevard

ORLÉANS BOULEVARD STATION

s place dorleans station

PLACE D’ORLÉANS STATION

s trim station

TRIM STATION

September Update

On September 29, 2023, the City’s Light Rail Sub-Committee received a detailed presentation on construction activity for the three O-Train extension projects and a status update on the work being done by the City to address the recommendations in the Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry Action Plan.

The O-Train East Line continues to make progress with rail and overhead catenary system (OCS) installation advancing well, and stations continuing to take shape. 

A status update on the 103 recommendations in the Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry Action Plan was given; this update identifies progress on the 95 recommendations which lie within the City’s power to action. The remaining eight recommendations lie within the jurisdiction of the provincial and federal governments.

As of September 20, 2023, a total of 56 recommendations are considered complete or have been incorporated into ongoing City policies for implementation in future projects. Of note, the City has updated its P3 Policy and Administrative Procedures to incorporate lessons learned for future major infrastructure projects.
 
City staff expect to have approximately 75 of the 95 recommendations fully completed by the end of 2023, with the remaining substantially complete or fully incorporated into ongoing work or processes.
 
The status update on recommendations in the Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry Action Plan will rise to Council on October 11.

Jeanne D'Arc Overpass Update

As part of the Stage 2 O-Train Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, the Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard overpass bridge at Highway 174 will be undergoing rehabilitation work and will be widened to construct new sidewalks and a multi-use pathway (MUP) to the new O-Train station. Motorists travelling on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard at Highway 174 should anticipate long-term impacts to traffic as crews complete necessary construction activities.

The Stage 2 LRT East construction project is now entering a phase that will see significant work begin on the Jeanne d’Arc bridge and station. This work is not minor, and includes a full redevelopment of the overpass, stripping parts of it down the framework, as they rebuild the bridge.

When:

From September 25, 2023 to Spring 2025

 

What to expect:

  • Lane reductions on the Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard overpass at Highway 174. One lane will remain open in each direction. Alternate traffic arrangements may be considered if queuing causes traffic issues on surrounding roadways.
  • At least one sidewalk will be open to allow safe pedestrian movements over the bridge throughout the construction.
  • During the construction period, approximately ten major weekend closures of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard at Highway 174 and associated ramps will be required to rehabilitate the bridge and ramps. Notice will be provided in advance of this work taking place.
  • Periodic overnight highway and road closures for bridge work will be required.

Why:

  • Bridge rehabilitation work is required to accommodate the new design of the Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard overpass at Highway 174.
  • The new design will have two lanes of traffic in each direction, with a multi-use pathway east of the northbound lanes.
  • The bridge structure will be inspected and rehabilitated as necessary requiring extensive work.
  • When complete, the bridge will be widened, and sidewalks, curbs and MUP lanes will be installed to provide safe connections over the bridge and to the new Jeanne d’Arc O-Train Station.

Anticipated Impacts:

  • Lane reductions will be in place, limiting traffic to one lane in each direction. Alternate traffic arrangements will be considered if queuing causes traffic issues on surrounding roadways.
  • Over the course of the construction period, approximately ten major weekend closures will be required to rehabilitate the bridge and ramps. Periodic overnight highway and road closures for bridge work will be required as well. Notice will be provided in advance of specific activities taking place.
  • Motorists should adhere to traffic control signage, posted speed limits, allow for added travel time and use extra caution when moving through active construction corridors as traffic patterns change.
  • Motorists should adhere to detours during major weekend closures and overnight closures.
  • At least one sidewalk will be open throughout the work to accommodate pedestrians through the work zone.
  • Noise and vibration from trucks and heavy equipment is expected.
  • Police are aware of this work and will monitor the impacts of traffic on residential streets, including Fortune Drive and Grey Nuns Drive. Traffic is not expected to increase on these streets, however, if cut-through traffic is observed, then additional mitigation measures will be investigated.

A public information session about this work will be hosted by the City of Ottawa on Wednesday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. If you are interested in attending, please use the following link to access the city’s information session:

https://zoom.us/j/96193270085(link is external)

August 2023 Update

The Stage 2 Rail Construction Program has made great progress extending the O-Train Network farther east, west and south. 

So far this year, there has been vehicle testing in the south, rail and overhead catenary system (OCS) installation in the east, and station construction progress in the west. 

The Light Rail Sub-Committee received an update indicating that work on track and systems is ongoing in the east end, and significant progress continues to be made in stations and on the Place d’Orléans and Trim pedestrian bridges. By the end of the year, preparation will begin for vehicle testing on the extension. Check out the progress made so far here. The East Extension starts at 2:33.

February 2023 Update

The Stage 2 LRT Team were invited to attend our monthly board meeting on February 15, 2023 at 7:30AM.

 

They provided further updates on the east end stations and connectivity as well as responded to the board of director’s questions. 

 

The board was happy to learn that construction of the stations is progressing nicely and look forward to working with the Stage 2 team to learn more about things like expected frequency, including peak and off-peak hours, hours of operation throughout Stage 1 and 2 and timing from operating stations to the East stations. Getting to Orléans in a timely manner has a direct impact on things like employment/recruitment.

 

Click here or on the picture to access the presentation.

January 2023 Update

The Stage 2 LRT Team held a public information session on January 17, 2023 at 7PM. They provided updates on the east end stations, connectivity, noise walls and community resources. They also had subject matter experts from their contractor, KEV, traffic management, Rail Construction program, OC Transpo, and communications  to respond to questions. 

 

Click here or on the picture to access the presentation.

 

As usual if there are questions after the fact, participants were invited to send an email to [email protected].

December 2022 Update

2022 was a big year for the Stage 2 LRT Project. Now, with stations coming out of the ground, rail installation advancing, and trains on track testing, Ottawa’s future O-Train system is starting to take shape. 

 

O-Train East Extension

This year, the east segment transitioned from realigning the OR 174 transportation corridor into building a rail line. Crews focused on the full guideway construction, overhead catenary system (OCS) foundations, ballast installation and have started installing track.

Trackwork

The first tracks were installed in April at Jeanne d’Arc Station and installation continued eastward towards Trim Station. At this time, 60% of the rail has been installed for the east extension.  

This year also marked one of the biggest milestones to-date on the project, the rail connection between Stage 2 and the existing O-Train network at Blair Station. This milestone means east end customers in Beacon Hill, Blackburn Hamlet, and Orléans are one step closer to seeing trains being tested in their community.

Pedestrian Bridges

The Green’s Creek, Place d’Orléans Station and Trim Station pedestrian bridges were successfully installed which will enhance connectivity to the future stations.

 

Stations

Construction of all five O-Train East extension stations are well underway. After starting construction in 2021, Jeanne d’Arc Station has made impressive progress as crews have already built the stairs, platform, and station structure. Crews are working on completing window installation and utility works.

 

In 2023, this segment will continue to see more exciting milestones:

  •  Track installation will finish
  • Installation of the train control and communications cables in the guideway will begin
  • Station construction will wrap up
  • Testing and commissioning will begin, including train movements along the new eastern corridor.
 

November 2022 Update

Stage 2 LRT will forever change how we move in our city. With 44 km of rail and 24 new stations, 75% of residents will be within 5 km of rail.

 

This year, crews continue to advance the project. Check out some exciting milestones they’ve met:

  • Rail and overhead catenary pole installation began on the O-Train East extension.
  • Cover operations have started on the Cut and Cover Tunnel on the O-Train West extension.
  • All seven Stadler FLIRT vehicles have arrived and began testing on the O-Train South extension.
  • By the end of the year, seven of 11 pedestrian bridges will be installed across all three alignments.

May 2022 Update

 

 

 

 

The City of Ottawa hosted Reece Martin, of RMTransit, to take a peek at progress being made across the O-Train East-West Alignment. Check out his latest video on Stage 2 LRT construction here.

Blair Transitway Bridge

 

 

Crews have successfully dismantled the Blair Transitway bridge, advancing the Stage 2 LRT project! This work allows for the future connection of Blair Station to the new Blair to OR 174 median rail bridge.

Check out this video to watch the bridge come down!

April 2022 Press Release

City marks progress on Stage 2 East Extension with start of track installation.

 

On April 26, 2022, Mayor Jim Watson and Transit Commission Chair Allan Hubley joined the Honourable Mona Fortier, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Orléans, representing the Government of Canada, to celebrate the start of track installation on the O-Train East Extension. This is a significant progress milestone for Stage 2 LRT.

 

The O-Train East Extension will travel mainly within the OR 174 median, between Blair Road and Trim Road, adding 12.5 kilometres of new rail and five new stations. The extension connects 95 percent of residents in the communities of Orléans, Blackburn Hamlet and Beacon Hill within five kilometres of rail.

 

Construction on the O-Train East Extension is well underway, and all 25 kilometres of track installation will be complete by the end of 2022. A 240-metre test track west of Jeanne d’Arc was installed in December 2021, and the main line track installation began in April, near the future Jeanne d’Arc Station. Construction of all O-Train East Extension stations are in progress.

 

Stage 2 LRT will transform travel in Ottawa as it expands the reach, comfort and convenience of light rail transit. It will connect communities, as well as Ottawa’s major employment centres, postsecondary institutions, shopping and recreation destinations, and arts and culture hot spots. When Stage 2 is complete, LRT will ultimately be capable of carrying 24,000 people per direction per hour at peak capacity. The O-Train network will relieve congestion, reducing approximately one sixth of Ottawa’s total vehicle kilometres travelled and save commuters time and money. The project will also reduce greenhouse gases by 110,000 tonnes and contaminants such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and sulphur oxides by 3,000 tonnes over a 25-year period.

 

The Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project is a $4.66 billion project, jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa. Stage 2 supports healthy transportation, gives residents more options for how they move around, including biking to destinations. Ottawa is integrating the city’s pathway network with all light rail developments in support of mixed-mode travel.

 

O-Train East Extension quick facts:

 

  • Approximately 32,000 concrete ties across 12.5 kms of the O-Train East Extension will be installed.
  • Concrete ties are installed as they get delivered. Each tie weighs 600 pounds.
  • Approximately 90,000 tonnes of ballast will be installed. Ballast is composed of granite rock that comes from Wakefield, Quebec.
  • Steel clips are set in place by specialized temper machinery.
  • Crews will begin installation between Montréal and Jeanne d’Arc stations and continue west. Final installation will be from Blair Station to Montréal Station.

Stage 2 December 2021 Construction Update

Check out the progress throughout 2021 on all three extensions! The east line is towards the end of the video

Stage 2 LRT is Progressing March 2021

The Stage 2 team continues to make progress across all three O-Train extensions! The Stage 2 project continues to achieve construction milestones and has resulted in more than $550 million worth of contracts to local vendors. Check out the progress below.

2020 Year End Review

The O-Train East extension will see LRT continue from Blair Road to Trim Road, adding 12.5 kilometres of rail and 5 new stations to the O-Train network at Montreal Road, Jeanne d’Arc, Orleans Boulevard, Place d’Orleans, and Trim Road. The east extension will travel predominantly within the median of OR 174.

 

One of the critical objectives in 2020 was the relocation of infrastructure, including various utilities such as sewers, hydro lines, watermains, natural gas and telecommunications infrastructure in the Highway 174 corridor at Green’s Creek, Jeanne d-Arc, Orleans and Champlain Street to set the stage for the future track and station construction in the median.

 

Significant ramp modifications occurred at the Jeanne d’Arc Interchange where vehicle access to Highway 174 has been changed. The existing westbound on-ramps were removed and the southbound and northbound lanes of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard now have signalized right turns. This will help reduce speeds and increase safety for all road users and create greater connectivity for all modes of transportation.

 

Further to the critical utility relocation work and road preparation work between Trim Road and Jeanne D’Arc, travellers along the 174 will have witnessed significant and intensive construction activity between Blair Station and Montreal Road. In order to connect trains from the existing transit alignment on the north side of the highway into the median itself, a new dedicated rail bridge is being constructed 800m east of the Highway 174 and Blair Road interchange and the existing bus transit bridge, south of Trillium Park. Crews have been hard at work constructing the pier caps that will hold the future Blair Station to 174 median rail bridge. From there, trains will travel east to the final stop at Trim Road where the Stage 2 team has been renovating the existing OC Transpo Park and Ride facility and building a future Highway 174 eastbound, north and south ramp required to make space for the realignment of Trim Road and the construction of the future Trim Station.

 

Over the course of the year, eastbound 174 lanes had to be shifted south and two new bridges had to be built at the Highway 174 Montreal Road interchange to create enough space to allow work on the guideway and station construction to begin. In November, crews worked over five weeks and weekends to detour traffic from the existing highway bridges to the two new bridges with minimum closure time and impact to the travelling public. This work was critical to enable the demolition of the existing bridges over the course of the first weekend in December and the start of the deep foundation for Montreal Station in 2021.