The City's Light Rail Sub-Committee received a progress update today on the O-Train extension project.

On the O-Train East extension, track installation is complete and overhead catenary system work is nearing completion. Construction on stations and pedestrian bridges is ongoing. Testing began earlier this week when the first Alstom Citadis train travelled past Blair Station to Montréal Station. Handover of the system and launch of the East extension is planned for 2025.

Track installation and station construction continue to progress on the O-Train West extension. The cut and cover tunnels along the Kichi Zībī Mīkan and through Connaught Park are advancing well with excavation complete. Tunnel walls and roof concrete pours are close to completion and the process of filling in the excavated area has begun in some locations. Track installation continues and will advance through the year.

On the O-Train South extension, construction of all 13 stations is almost complete, and train and signal testing along the line is ongoing. Successful operational bus loop testing at Limebank, Bowesville and Leitrim stations is complete. The Light Rail Sub-Committee heard about the safety, training and commissioning activities underway and residual project completion risks that remain. Pending final closeout of signal testing and continued progress on training, completion is expected in Q2 2024.

The Light Rail Sub-Committee also received an update on the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry Action Plan. Of the 95 recommendations the City is responsible for, 89 have now been completed or have been incorporated into ongoing City policies for implementation in future projects. Lessons learned are being incorporated in current and future projects.

Source: City of Ottawa

Due to a severe thunderstorm in the overnight hours of July 24th to the 25th 2022, O-Train Line 1 has suffered some damage and has resulted in the suspension of service from St-Laurent to Tunney's Pasture Stations.

We visited the area where the damage occurred. This area starts from just past the western curve out of Hurdman and stretches to just around the O-Train overpass over Greenfield Avenue (near Lees and King Edward). The damage is mainly on the eastbound side of the guideway and affects the OCS or Overhead Catenary System (the overhead wire that supplies power to the train).

There are two cables on each side of the guideway. The upper cable is there to help support the lower contact wire which is energized and supplies the power to the train. From approximately just west of Hurdman and all the way to the Greenfield Avenue overpass, the lower energized wire appears to be missing. In addition, the upper messenger support cable has snapped or broken from the point of the Rideau River bridge (on the Lees side), and extends to the east side of the Queensway underpass. As that support cable is broken and is under tension, works appear to have installed some chains (at both of these points) to help retain that cable, so that it doesn't get further pulled back the other way and cause further damage. In addition, some of the cantilevers (arms that protrude from the OCS support towers to support the cables) are broken, while others are being pulled east or west along the line, due to the lack of tension from the missing/broken cables.

There is also a stopped LRV pair (1102 & 1147), immobilized just across from TPSS #4 (Traction Power Sub-Station), which is located near the Greenfield Avenue/Mann Avenue intersection (and across from the Minto Rec centre of uOttawa). Each LRV has a pantograph and the pantograph on 1147 has clear signs of having been twisted and bent. The flat contact plate of the pantograph has broken off and is not visible. In regards to the second LRV 1102, I can not comment on the status of the pantograph as it is not visible at all (it is either intact and lowered, or has suffered damage).

While there is a lengthy section of OCS that will need repairs, it doesn't look too substantial and might only involve several days to complete the repairs. However, once more official information becomes available and the true scope of damage is understood, the time required to be able to complete repairs could be higher. During the visit, Alstom technicians were present and working near the stopped LRVs.

Once an official update is provided we should know more of the cause and repair timeline that will result.

********DISCLAIMER******** 

I am not a rail expert, I am a rail and transit enthusiast, transit rider and resident of Ottawa. These are my thoughts and comments from visual observation only of the O-Train guideway area affected.

Official Memo outlining the issues and the service restoration plan.

Mayor Jim Watson, Councillor Allan Hubley, Chair of the Transit Commission, François Gratton, Group President TELUS and Chair TELUS Québec, and John Manconi, General Manager of Transportation Services, today announced that TELUS will provide free Wi-Fi service in the three downtown, underground Line 1 stations' platforms, as well as door-to-door cellular service including through the downtown tunnel. The connection enables transit customers in Ottawa to access one of the most technologically advanced networks built in Canada for public transportation.

O-Train Confederation Line customers will be able to stay connected underground, as there will be a continuous cellular connection, including between stations and in the 2.5-kilometre tunnel, for all passengers.

The O-Train Confederation Line is a $2.13-billion transit project, jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and the City of Ottawa. Trains will carry up to 10,700 passengers per hour in each direction, between 13 stations. Trains will arrive every five minutes or less at the busiest times.

TELUS' investment in the O-Train project is another example of its commitment to building a superior award-winning wireless network that benefits Canadians across the country. Since 2000, TELUS has invested more than $215 billion in network investments to enhance the coverage, speed and reliability of its world-leading network, and to connect its customers right across Canada.

For more information about the O-Train Confederation Line, visit octranspo.com/ready4rail.

Quotes

"Thanks to this great partnership with TELUS, I am pleased that our transit users will have free Wi-Fi in our downtown, underground light rail transit stations, and cellular service across the entire Confederation Line. Customers will be able to stay connected during their commute on our world-class, light rail transit system."

Mayor Jim Watson

"We are extremely proud of our partnership with the City of Ottawa and look forward to contributing to the city's largest infrastructure project since the Rideau Canal was built. TELUS is again proving its commitment to our nation's capital by providing an award-winning network that will allow commuters to benefit from a 5G-ready mobile broadband network. We are thankful for the opportunity to leverage our expertise to create a superior customer experience for commuters travelling on one of the most technologically advanced light rail transit systems in Canada."

François Gratton, Group President TELUS and Chair TELUS Québec

Source : City of Ottawa

Earlier today, the first Algonquin Wayfinding Wheel installed in an O-Train Line 1 station was unveiled at Pimisi Station on National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Designed by Algonquin artist Simon Brascoupé, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, and inspired by the traditional four sacred directions, the Wayfinding Wheel reflects Algonquin culture and the history of the Algonquin territory. The Wayfinding Wheels are attached to boulders found in Algonquin territory from the beginning of time. They will be installed at all O-Train stations and at Ottawa City Hall along with plaques that describe the significance of the depicted animals and symbols to the Algonquin peoples.

The Wayfinding Wheel was designed through a participatory process involving Algonquin Elders and community members from Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, as well as representatives from the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) organization. The design includes representations for all four compass directions and an orienting arrow that points north, along with important Algonquin symbols such as the canoe for transportation and animals that are important to the Algonquin peoples, including the moose in the centre of the design symbolizing food and strength.

Pimisi Station is near Chaudière Falls, also known as the Kana:tso or Akikodjiwan Falls. The surrounding area has been a significant meeting place between peoples in the region for millennia and the station design reflects the historical and current significance of the Algonquin peoples. "Pimisi" is the Algonquin (Omàmiwininìmowin) word for eel, which is sacred and has been considered a source of spirituality, medicine and nutrition for thousands of years.

Pimisi Station is a key access point to LeBreton Flats and the closest O-Train station to the new Ottawa Public Library-Library and Archives Canada Joint Facility, scheduled to open in late 2024. Elders from Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation led a blessing ceremony on the site in October 2020 prior to the start of construction.

O-Train Line 1 service began on September 14, 2019, on the 12.5-km line that connects 13 stations from Tunney's Pasture Station in the west to Blair Station in the east. It features underground stations, including Lyon, Parliament and Rideau in the downtown core.

The development and production of the Algonquin Wayfinding Wheels was funded through the Government of Canada Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) to help accelerate municipal investments to support the rehabilitation of transit systems, new capital projects, and planning and studies for future transit expansion to foster long-term transit plans.

Quotes

"The installation of artist Simon Brascoupé's Wayfinding Wheel at Pimisi Station, and LRT Stations across Ottawa, will provide a unique opportunity for travelers to engage with images and symbols that represent the culture and history of the Algonquin Anishinabeg people. As we all make our way through the Ottawa transit system, and go about our daily routines, this is a beautiful acknowledgement and reminder that we are on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people, and serves as a uniting symbol for travelers while highlighting the historical and contemporary importance of this people and place."

• The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"The inclusion of Wayfinding Wheels at all O-Train stations honours the people and land of the Algonquin communities in Ontario and Quebec and provides transit users with a unique opportunity to increase their understanding of Indigenous heritage, culture and traditions."

- Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Ontario

"The installation of Wayfinding Wheels is respectful of traditional Algonquin territory, history and culture and provides general direction and orientation for travellers while subtly exposing them to meaningful Algonquin symbols. I am proud that the City of Ottawa is a partner in sharing this rich Algonquin culture with residents and visitors."

• Mayor Jim Watson

"The design of the Wayfinding Wheel is an interpretation of what I heard and learned. The design is to help travellers' wayfinding in their journey on the land. The wheels are attached to boulders called Grandfathers that honour Algonquin history in the territory since the beginning of time."

• Algonquin artist Simon Brascoupé

Video Resources

• Artist Simon Brascoupé narrates a video tour of the Algonquin Wayfinding Wheel and provides insight into the significance of the animals and symbols depicted in the design.
• The artist's Community Conversation with Indigenous community members speaks to the importance of having the symbol throughout Ottawa.

Please note, video resources were developed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source : City of Ottawa

Source : City of Ottawa 

On October 12, 2023, the Transit Commission heard updates regarding O-Train Line 1 and the results of the root cause investigation regarding the derailments and issues experienced with O-Train Line 1. Presentations by City Staff, RTG and Alstom were made to the commission.

The presentations provided to Council and an archive of the meeting are attached below.

PRESS RELEASE : Transit Commission receives updates on wheel bearing issue and severe weather incidents affecting O-Train services

Today, the City's Transit Commission received updates on the wheel bearing issue that resulted in O-Train service disruptions and a report on the incidents and investigations undertaken by the City and its contractor Rideau Transit Group (RTG) to mitigate potential impacts to O-Train service caused by severe weather.

Three events related to the axle bearing issue caused full or partial shutdowns on O-Train Line 1 since August 2021. The LRT disruption - root cause review report outlines where further findings are expected to complete the root cause analysis and sets out short-, medium- and long-term actions to permanently resolve the axle bearing issue and increase rail service reliability. While it will take time to design and implement the new axle bearing system, plans are in place to monitor and manage the current axle configuration until the solutions can be implemented.

The Commission received a report on incidents affecting LRT vehicles and services that looks at the incidents and investigations undertaken by the City and RTG since 2022 to mitigate potential impacts to O-Train service caused by severe weather. The report sets out short- and long-term actions to increase rail service reliability.

Transit Commission heard that O-Train Line 1 service delivery was 99.5 per cent in September 2023, a significant recovery from July and August 2023 when service was impacted by a multi-day closure. September 2023 ridership is the highest it's been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. O-Train and conventional bus ridership is at 6.4 million customer trips in September 2023, which is an increase of 500,000 when compared to September 2022.

Staff also provided an update on key Para Transpo ridership and service levels. Para Transpo ridership is continuing to approach pre-pandemic levels and is 18 per cent higher than it was in September 2022.

The Transit Commission received a report on sponsorship of Transit Services detailing opportunities and challenges with respect to attracting sponsorship of free transit service for special occasions. Staff are exploring whether the approach of using external, specialized resources could be used for transit sponsorship and partnerships in Ottawa. Additional advertising and sponsorship revenue will be included as part of the 2024 Operating Budget process for Council consideration and approval.

OC Transpo updated the Commission on its recognition by the American Public Transportation Association with a Grand Award in the Best Marketing and Communications Educational Initiative category. This award was received for the Travel Training Program that was featured in BBC's online series called The Way We Move.

Source : City of Ottawa

 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.

O-Train Lines 2 and 4 are progressing well, with station construction nearing completion. Works along the alignment include communications equipment installation, station occupancy approvals, and ongoing construction of park & ride facilities.

The Sub-Committee also received an update on steps required before revenue service. Testing and commissioning is ongoing and will continue through the fall. The Rail Activation Management Program (RAMP) scorecard, which identifies critical activities essential for a successful public launch, was presented, and the committee received an update on the status of each component.

An update on O-Train Lines 1 and 3 progress was also provided. 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. Rail installation at the Corkstown Yard (formerly called the Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility) on the O-Train West Line has begun. The cut and cover tunnels continue to advance, with excavation nearing completion; walls and roof concrete pours are advancing, and backfilling in some areas is now underway. Videos on the progress of the O-Train Lines 1 and 3 east and west extensions are now available.

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.

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.

Source : City of Ottawa

This memo is to advise the Mayor and Members of Council that OC Transpo has completed the testing phase of the O-Payment system and is pleased to today introduce this new and convenient payment option to customers. 

With O-Payment, customers can pay for an Adult fare by tapping a credit card or mobile wallet on fare gates at any station or fare readers on an OC Transpo bus. Customers can tap the same credit card or mobile wallet to transfer between trips, as long as they are within the transfer window. 

OC Transpo is the first transit agency in Canada to introduce fare capping for credit card and mobile wallet payments. Customers can tap their credit card all day and it will never cost them more than the price of a DayPass ($11.25). Customers can tap their credit card all month and it will never cost them more than the price of an Adult monthly pass ($125.50). 

Customers should only tap the card they wish to pay with to avoid accidental charges. 

O-Payment is not available on STO. Customers who transfer regularly to STO should continue to use a Presto card. 

Para Transpo customers have been able to pay with credit card and debit card on Para Transpo vehicles since April 2023 using a separate system managed by Presto. 

The availability of the new O-Payment service will be communicated through OC Transpo's communications channels, including signage, digital and print advertising, social media and on octranspo.com. Details on O-Payment, including how to check credit card transactions on the O-Payment website, will be communicated to customers on octranspo.com and through social media. 

To help share this good news with residents, attached is a toolkit which can be used to promote O-Payment on social media or through newsletters. Thank you in advance for your support.  

Source : City of Ottawa

The City's Light Rail Sub-Committee today received a detailed presentation on construction activity and a schedule update for all three O-Train extension projects – south, east and west.

In the south, work is progressing well at the Albion Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility and on multiple rail bridges and guideway sections. Station construction is well advanced, with wayfinding signage, fare gates and final touches being installed at most stations. Track installation is close to completion, and testing and commissioning has commenced. Critical activities, including further testing and commissioning, and training are being monitored prior to system handover, expected late in 2023.

In the east, work on track and systems is ongoing, 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.

In the west, progress continues at Corkstown Yard Light Maintenance and Storage Facility and station construction is now underway on all stations. The Queensview pedestrian bridge structure was successfully installed in July. Excavation in the Byron Linear Park is also ongoing, and cut-and-cover tunnel construction is progressing with ongoing concrete pours for the tunnel structure.

For more information on OC Transpo, visit octranspo.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source : City of Ottawa

The following memo outlines the progress made during Q2 2023 on the Stage 2 project and provides an overview of the planned work for Q3 2023.

Subsequent to project handover, the City will make an assessment regarding the timing for start of public service. Final readiness activities and an assessment of system performance and system maturity will be made after handover from the build team.

Stage 2 South: By the end of 2023. No entry in service date has been confirmed as of now.

Stage 2 East: Q1 2025, approximately a 7-week delay from the PA completion date of November 26, 2024.

Stage 2 West: Late 2026, approximately a 17 months from the PA completion date of May 25, 2025.

OC Transpo, together with Transportation Resource Associates (TRA), is conducting a final review of RTG's documentation to confirm that the requirements for partial service have been met. These documents will be provided to the Interim City Manager, who has delegated authority in this matter, with a recommendation to resume service. Based on the information, once the City Manager is satisfied that the regulatory regime is in compliance, and agrees with the recommendation, OC Transpo will proceed with partial service resumption. 

As it has been deemed safe, OC Transpo is now able to begin gradually restoring service by providing partial Line 1 service in the west beginning on Tuesday, August 8 at 5am. 

For customers this means:

• Line 1 service will operate between Tunney's Pasture and uOttawa stations.
• Five single-car trains will provide service every five minutes.
• R1, R1 Express and Para R1 services will continue to operate with no changes.
• An additional train can be launched during peak periods to accommodate high customer volumes.
• Customers may notice slower train speeds in the tunnel due to a speed restriction as part.
• of safety requirements during the gradual resumption of service.
• Staff will be at stations supporting customers during their trips.

RTG also continues the required replacement of the wheel hub assemblies on the train fleet, and replacements are now complete on 22 trains. By operating with single-car trains, OC Transpo can accommodate current customer volumes and manage the fleet availability over the long
term.

This memo is to provide an update to the Mayor and Members of Council on the ongoing O-Train Line 1 service disruption and the safe, gradual return to service. 

At this time, OC Transpo continues to anticipate that the gradual resumption of service will begin on Monday, July 31. In order to safely resume service, three items are required: 

• Inspection of all rail vehicles, which was completed on July 24; six vehicles are undergoing additional investigations 
• Texelis report based on the manufacturer's disassembly and analysis of the out of tolerance axle hub, expected on July 28 
• Safety Note from Alstom and RTG, outlining the parameters of the new containment plan for the safe operations of Line 1 

Earlier today, Alstom and RTG provided the draft Safety Note. The document is being reviewed by OC Transpo. At a high level, the Safety Note lays out plans for a new inspection and replacement regime that requires: 

• Continuing with all mitigation measures already in place 
• Replacement of the leading and trailing wheel hub assemblies and axles every 60,000 kilometres 
• Implement a new inspection regime for middle bogies 

As a result of this enhanced inspection and replacement program, not all trains will be available to operate as they undergo wheel hub assembly replacement based on their current mileage. OC Transpo is committed to restoring O-Train service as soon as it is safe to do so. Based on this information, current reduced ridership levels, and that Line 1 can operate with either single or double-car trains, customers can expect the following progressive return to service: 

• Eight single-car trains serving all stations on Line 1, approximately every seven to eight minutes 
• R1 bus service will continue to operate in parallel to Line 1 service 
• OC Transpo staff will continue to be at key stations to support customers during their trip 
• The Transit Operations Control Centre will be closely monitoring passenger volumes at stations 

This fleet size in combination with the ongoing R1 bus service will provide the capacity required to meet current customer volumes. This temporary single-car train configuration enables OC Transpo and RTG to manage the supply of rail vehicles while meeting the more frequent inspection and replacement regime in order to ensure the sustainable delivery of service. 

OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group (RTG) conducted a risk assessment and confirmed that since the system was originally designed to accommodate both single and double-car train operations, there are no additional risks to customer safety at station platforms. 

As RTG progresses with the wheel hub assembly replacement, more trains will become available to maintain the sustainability of the eight trains in operation. Once OC Transpo can be assured that there is a sustainable number of vehicles available for service, we will assess an increase to the number of operating trains. 

OC Transpo continues to work with RTG and Alstom to finalize the Safety Note and the gradual safe return to service plan. Once plans are final, full details will be communicated to customers prior to the start of service through all of OC Transpo's channels. 

There will be a media availability at 4 p.m. today and we will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Source : City of Ottawa

RFC - Questions and Answers from the Media Availability today.

• There have been a lot of discussion on the wheel/rail interface, as well as the axle bearings over the past few years. Will the redesigned axle address both of these two investigations? And can you give a brief explanation of the root cause that was found.
• In the interim until such time that all LRVs have been modified with a new redesigned strengthened axle, what maintenance and inspection changes will be done to limit and control the state of the LRVs to keep them in service, such as lower inspection intervals (currently 3750km), continued or expanded use of smartbugs, or onboard vibration detection systems on the LRVs themselves. And should we expect the current temporary speed restrictions to continue for the next year?

This memo is to provide an update to the Mayor and Members of Council on the current service levels, completed and planned work on the ongoing investigation, and an update on the safe resumption of service, which is expected by July 31st .

We will continue to provide further updates as they become available. A media availability will be held at 10 a.m. today, and at 4 p.m. daily for the remainder of the week.

• An update was sent early this morning regarding R1 service.

The difficult decision to suspend service was made to ensure the ongoing safety of our customers and staff.

Since then, there has been important progress on all three key areas of the ongoing investigation and the suspension of service on Line 1.

The following tests have been undertaken since the temporary suspension of service:

Ongoing Investigation – Instrumented Bogie Tests

Return to Service Plan

Line 1 service will resume when it is safe to do so.

We continue to meet with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) and Alstom to finalize a safe return to service plan that is sustainable. Our focus is ensuring the increased reliability and long-term sustainability of the system.

The Return to Service Plan has several critical activities and includes a safety letter provided by Alstom, through RTG, and a report from Texelis, the manufacturer of the axles. These documents will be reviewed by OC Transpo, in association with Transportation Resource Associates (TRA), OC Transpo's third party expert.

Return to Service Plan

Additionally, I am very pleased to announce that Alstom and RTG have agreed to a design modification to the wheel hub assembly. This means that Ottawa will finally have a permanent fix to this bearing issue, which will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of Line 1.

Reminder: We will continue to provide further updates as they become available. A media availability will be held at 10 a.m. today, and at 4 p.m. daily for the remainder of the week.

Source : City of Ottawa

Today, the City's Light Rail Sub-Committee received a report and detailed presentation on the projects being coordinated by staff to ensure a successful launch of O-Train Lines 2 and 4 this fall.

The Rail Operational Readiness (ROR) program and the Rail Activation Management Program (RAMP) involve numerous complex projects that will deliver on the planned Stage 2 of Ottawa's light rail transit (LRT) system.

ROR is a structured project management approach that supports the development and implementation of the strategic projects and activities models that ensure a seamless and positive end-to-end customer journey.

RAMP tracks and reports on all deliverables required for the launch. RAMP provides for a successful transition to launch, from construction to operations, including vehicles, system testing and commissioning, operations and maintenance, and customer-facing elements.

Most importantly, ROR and RAMP were created to ensure a positive customer experience on LRT from Day 1.

ROR and RAMP represent a coordinated team effort, which includes planning dress rehearsal activities with a variety of situations. These preparations include the regulatory framework and tabletop exercises, Transit Operations Control Centre readiness, contracts, and systems. Customer facing elements such as traffic and transit connectivity, station design, wayfinding, and safety, play an important role in staff preparations.

OC Transpo will continue to deliver on its commitment to transparency, and to ensuring that lessons learned from the Line 1 experience are implemented to ensure a successful delivery of Stage 2 for customers and residents alike.

For more information on OC Transpo, visit octranspo.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source : City of Ottawa

Today, the City's Light Rail Sub-Committee received a construction update on the Stage 2 O-Train South Extension and approved a detailed report on the preparations, testing, and trial running reporting that will precede the opening of the system, expected this fall.

The Trillium Line, to be renamed O-Train Lines 2 and 4, originally ran between Bayview and Greenboro stations. The extension adds approximately 12 kilometres of new track to the existing eight kilometres and will stretch to the Riverside South community at the new terminal, Limebank Station. The project also includes an additional four-kilometre extension to the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Rail installation and station works are nearing completion.

The Sub-Committee received an update on steps required before revenue service. These include construction status, plans for testing and commissioning, trial running requirements, required bus network changes, and public launch plans. Testing and commissioning have already started and will be enhanced throughout the summer. The Sub-Committee approved the reporting process to Council for the trial running period. Staff will provide daily summaries of the previous day's performance and a technical briefing following completion.

The Sub-Committee also received a peer review report from SYSTRA Canada and RAPT Dev Canada, who worked in partnership to provide a comprehensive review of the Stage 2 project. The firms analyzed TransitNEXT's work on the Trillium Line to identify any potential issues or challenges that might arise when service begins. The report made 47 recommendations involving project management, rail infrastructure, rail systems, operations and maintenance, and safety. The City and TransitNEXT have formulated and implemented a comprehensive response and action plan to address all 47 recommendations.

Items from today's meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, June 14.

Source : City of Ottawa 

Please find attached a memo regarding work on O-Train Line 1 from Monday, June 5 until Monday, June 19.

Source : City of Ottawa

Recently, the City of Ottawa delivered an update on Stage 2 LRT progress in the city. Stage 2 expands the O-Train service in the East from Blair to Trim, in the West from Tunney's Pasture to Algonquin and Moodie, and in the South from Bayview to Limebank and the Airport. 

In this video, I discuss and provide my take on some of the important progress being realized on these massive construction and infrastructure projects across the city. 

The photos contained in this video were provided by the City of Ottawa and mostly date from Q2 2022. 

• 00:00 - Introduction 
• 00:44 - East Extension (Blair to Trim) 
• 15:26 - West Extension (Westboro to Moodie and Algonquin) 
• 33:36 - South Extension (Bayview to Limebank) 
• 50:08 - Wrap Up and Closing 

---ERRATUM—

In the video, it is mentioned that the new East pathway that passes over Green's Creek will continue to Jeanne d'Arc. This was an error, the pathway will run from Blair and end at the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway. Existing pathways from there can be used to reach Jeanne d'Arc (via the parkway and not alongside the 174). 

--------------- 

To see the latest photos of the stations, please check out our Snapshot Updates at otrain.railfans.ca/snapshot

The Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry has found there were persistent failures in leadership, partnership and communications in the construction and maintenance of the Ottawa LRT.

Commissioner the Honourable Justice William Hourigan released the Inquiry's final report today in Ottawa. "Our mandate," he said, "was to find out for the residents of Ottawa what happened and why, and how to avoid similar problems in the future."

In releasing the report, Commissioner Hourigan said both the City of Ottawa and the private consortium, Rideau Transit Group (RTG), lost sight of the public interest during the project. "It was unconscionable that RTG and its main sub-contractor knowingly gave the City inaccurate information about when they would finish building the LRT." He also found that City Council was not told that the testing criteria for the LRT was lowered to allow it to pass its final testing phase. "This conduct irreparably compromised the legal oversight ability of Council and raises serious concerns about whether the City of Ottawa can properly complete significant infrastructure projects."

The Commissioner found there were many reasons Ottawa residents did not get the reliable transit system they deserved, including that:

• The City chose unproven technology for the trains that strained the limits of what an LRT system could do.
• RTG did not coordinate the work of its sub-contractors and failed to ensure the integration of the various systems and components.
• An adversarial relationship developed between the City and RTG.
• The City rushed the LRT system into service before it was ready.
• RTG and its subcontractors did not provide adequate maintenance.

The Public Inquiry made 103 recommendations to fix the problems with the Ottawa LRT and ensure they don't reoccur on other major infrastructure projects. Commissioner Hourigan recommended that an independent monitor keep Ottawa City Council or the Transit Commission informed about on-going corrective measures. And he said governments and public procurement agencies should examine whether to use a public-private partnership (P3) or another model when building complex infrastructure projects.

Other recommendations include:

• Collaboration and the public interest should be at the heart of the relationship between the public entity and private-sector partners.
• Systems integration must be prioritized from the design phase through to construction and manufacturing.
• Safety requirements should be designed and built in from the outset, to avoid expensive, retroactive changes. An independent safety auditor should be engaged early in the construction of complex infrastructure projects.
• Reliability and safety issues must be honestly identified and communicated to project partners and the public. The province should give legal protection to whistleblowers who bring forward concerns about major infrastructure projects.
• Trial testing requirements should be detailed in the relevant contracts and used as the basis for any performance scoring.
• There should be timely and proper responses to problems related to maintenance and operations by all parties once they arise. The safety and needs of the public should be prioritized.
• Prior to public opening, there should be an extensive running of the entire system under conditions designed to mirror those of public service.

"More than three years after opening," said Commissioner Hourigan, "some of the LRT's problems still have not been fixed. While relations between the City and RTG have improved, both need to do more work to ensure the public interest is at the core of everything they do." 

Source :Ottawa Light Rail Transit Commission

The Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry will release its final report on November 30, 2022. "We made a commitment to the people of Ottawa," says Inquiry Commissioner, the Honourable Justice William Hourigan. "We said we would find out why problems occurred in the construction and maintenance of the LRT, and how to avoid these in the future. I believe we have done that."

The Inquiry will release the report simultaneously on the Inquiry's website, ottawalrtpublicinquiry.ca, and at a news conference in Ottawa. The news conference will be livestreamed on the Inquiry's website.

Committee hears about milestones for Stage 2 LRT

The Finance and Economic Development Committee received a detailed update today on Stage 2 LRT construction.

The project has progressed significantly in 2022: rail installation is underway along the O-Train East extension, as well as covering works for the cut-and-cover tunnel on the O-Train West extension. Testing and commissioning of seven new Stadler FLIRT vehicles is underway; they will run on the O-Train South extension. By the end of the year, seven of the 11 new pedestrian bridges will be installed to help enhance resident's active transportation connectivity.

Today's update included forecasted schedules for each alignment. Anticipated completion dates are:

• September 2023 for the O-Train South extension
• End of 2024 for the O-Train East extension
• Late 2026 for the O-Train West extension

During the FEDCO meeting in Ottawa, further delays were announced regarding Stage2LRT throughout Ottawa. 

• South: Fall 2023 (A year late) 
• East: Early 2025 (36 days) 
• West: Late 2026 (17 months) 

It goes without saying that we are saddened by this news. We do hope that some of the schedule pressures can be addressed and allow for the extensions to open when they are ready. We will continue to track progress throughout the city and share our excitement about passenger rail becoming an even bigger part of Ottawa.

Please visit https://otrain.railfans.ca/snapshot to see for yourself the progress throughout the city.

QUESTION: For the past several months, there are several segments of O-Train Line 1 that are operating under lower speed restrictions. With the work that was done over the summer (which involved some early closures), the previous normal speeds have not returned in all areas. Is there a timeline or ETA as to when the train will resume normal speeds on all parts of the alignment? (Notable areas include east of Rideau Station into the curve and beyond, Lees to Hurdman, among a few others).

ANSWER: As previously communicated to Mayor and Council on July 23, one light rail vehicle was removed from service for further inspections following an abnormal vibration report. The removal of light rail vehicles (LRVs) following unusual sound or vibration reports is required in accordance with OC Transpo's operating procedures, in order to perform further vehicle inspections. The LRV inspection for this vehicle showed a failure occurred in one of the wheel hub assemblies.

A second memo was issued on August 18 to share that out of an abundance of caution, Rideau Transit Group and Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) commenced the replacement of the axle wheel hub in the leading and trailing wheel assembly of LRVs with more than 175,000 kilometres in service. These replacements continue and components are removed from the vehicles to undergo further testing, as required. Further issues have not been discovered during the replacement of the axle wheel hubs and train availability remains capable of meeting daily service requirements.

A root cause analysis of this incident began immediately and continues. To ensure the ongoing safety and operation of O-Train Line 1, a number of precautionary measures have been put in place including temporary speed restrictions along sections of the track. Staff continue to work with RTM, Alstom and Transportation Resource Associates to identify longer term solutions to the axle issue, which may be informed from a final root cause analysis report, track design and vehicle analyses.

Though the trains continue to operate at slower speeds at certain sections of the track, we are seeing improved performance of the rail line, which will provide greater reliability. Until the root cause analysis and/or the investigation process determines that the temporary speed restrictions can be safely removed, the speed restrictions along sections of the track will remain in place.

-Attributed to Troy Charter, Director, Transit Service Delivery and Rail Operations 

Please find attached a memo providing an O-Train Stage 2 Light Rail Transit Project Quarterly Update (Q2 2022)

Veuillez trouver ci-joint une note de service concernant une mise à jour trimestrielle (T2 2022) sur l'Étape 2 du projet de train léger sur rail de l'O-Train.

Source : City of Ottawa / Ville d'Ottawa 

Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, along with members of the Stage 2 LRT team, held a virtual information session, to discuss the Western extension in Ward 7 of the Confederation Line, as well as upcoming work that is planned.

Stations covered include Sherbourne, New Orchard, Lincoln Fields, Queensview, Pinecrest, Bayshore and Moodie.

This video was recorded from the Zoom informational session held with the community and is archived on Rail Fans for informational purposes.