- This event has passed.
90-Day Look Ahead from Jan 2022 – Pinecrest to Moodie
January 3, 2022 - March 31, 2022
OVERVIEW
The O-Train West Extension is one of the three major extensions to Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit Project. The extension will add over 15 km of new rail and 11 new stations between Tunney’s Pasture to Moodie Drive and to Algonquin station. It also comprises a maintenance and storage facility, 10 new bridges, 14 rehabilitated bridges and 2 Cut-and-Cover Tunnels.
This notice provides an overview of upcoming activities between Pinecrest Station and Moodie Station as well as the expected community impacts including hours of work, noise from crews and equipment, pedestrian, and vehicle mobility, etc. While solid progress on the project is being made, construction activities are expected to continue to cause disruptions for area residents.
Residents should be aware that throughout 2022, there will be an increased requirement for nightwork across the alignment. Additional notifications to affected residents will precede all impactful nightwork activities and a weekly summary of nightwork will also be shared at the outset of each week. If you would like to receive the weekly updates, please email damon.berlin@ottawa.ca to be added to the distribution list.
During the winter period, activities will focus on preparation of the Transitway for guideway construction, advancing station construction, excavation, and support of excavation.
MAJOR WORKS
LRT Guideway from Pinecrest to Moodie Stations
The LRT guideway will run along the existing Transitway corridor, at grade and parallel to the north side of Highway 417. It will be in a trench underneath Pinecrest Road and Moodie Drive and on a bridge over Holly Acres Road. As a result, some existing ramps will continue to have to be adjusted, shifted, or temporarily closed and rebuilt to accommodate construction activities. The Transitway is permanently closed between Holly Acres and Moodie Drive.
Construction activities are scheduled so that the duration and extent of the impacts on all modes of transportation and the local community are minimized. Traffic will be shifted during construction to make space for the new structures (i.e., stations, bridges, roads etc.) and the LRT guideway. This will be done in stages, using temporary ramps, temporary closures, and traffic pattern shifts.
Detours will use approved arterial or major collector roads with posted signage and variable message boards. Cycling and pedestrian mobility will be maintained during construction, with posted signage and detours around work zones. Dewatering operations will also be ongoing in multiple areas, which involves pumps and large containment tanks to remove ground and surface water from construction zones.
Pinecrest Interchange
From Queensview Drive, adjacent to Highway 417, westward to Pinecrest interchange, Cut-and-Cover Tunnel operations are advancing with ongoing soil excavation, rock breaking, drilling, and support of excavation. Utilities east of Pinecrest, are being relocated, including storm and sanitary sewers, as well as drainage work.
The new temporary bus-only off-ramp at Pinecrest interchange is now open, placing traffic overtop to allow construction of the LRT underneath. There is an open trench on the east side, under the off-ramp, that transitions the Connaught Tunnel from Queensview onto the guideway westward to Pinecrest interchange. The westbound 417 off-ramp is now closed for an extended period of construction until summer of 2023, and there is a newly opened on-ramp for Pinecrest Road northbound to Highway 417 westbound.
A new bus turnaround area to the northwest of the interchange is being constructed, with final paving in spring, for use during the Transitway closure in June 2022. Road work and utilities relocation have been completed on Greenbank Road and Lisa Avenue to accommodate buses during the Transitway closure.
Bayshore Station
Utility relocation near the Transitway and the shopping mall will continue through winter. The Transitway will close in April between Pinecrest interchange and Bayshore Station and will remain open for buses between Bayshore and Holly Acres.
Holly Acres Road
At Holly Acres Road and the Transitway, the new south-west ramp construction is complete and facilitates construction advancement on the new bridge structure for the LRT flyover. This winter, work on the bridge support walls will take place until spring.
Moodie Station and the Light Maintenance and Storage Facility (LMSF)
Three new road bridges are being constructed for traffic to bypass the guideway as it passes under Moodie Drive north of Highway 417, as there will be no at-grade crossings of the LRT. A new southbound Moodie to westbound Highway 417 on-ramp, and a new northbound Moodie to westbound 417 ramp were opened late in 2021. These new ramps allow for guideway construction to progress. Moodie Drive over the 417 was reinstated with four traffic lanes and a protected pedestrian facility, following excavation work underneath for the guideway connecting with the LMSF.
The new Moodie Station construction is underway with site excavation and preparatory work through February, followed by structural work, and support of excavation. Drainage system installation is ongoing along the Transitway. The Transitway between Holly Acres and Moodie Drive is now closed for the construction of the guideway, station, and bus loop. Corkstown Road has been realigned to facilitate Station construction, with some final road work to follow in the spring, and removal of the former roadway in January.
The LMSF construction is advancing well with structural steel being installed, cladding on the exterior walls, and the concrete foundation for the switchyard. The pump station building’s construction will begin in early winter. Work will continue on the LMSF’s electrical network, and drainage system through winter.
COMMUNITY IMPACTS
Most work is scheduled to occur from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. However, throughout the notice period, there will be requirements for work until 10:00 p.m., as well as overnight and weekend work.
Night work is needed at times to accommodate work that requires traffic closures that cannot be done during the day, thus mitigating impacts on the travelling public. In addition, for works that are schedule critical, night work may be required, following a Public Notice, to meet the schedule on this large and complex project.
Noise and vibration from trucks and heavy equipment are expected during daytime hours. Trucks will use approved haul routes. Workers and contractors will park in designated parking areas. Snow clearing will be ongoing during winter around areas of LRT construction. Lighting is required to maintain safe working conditions for workers. Use of large light plants will be minimized as practical, with special attention to ensure flood lights are directed away from roadways, businesses, and residences.
For residents whose property borders the affected construction zones, equipment in the area may cause additional noise and occasional vibration as the work progresses. The City of Ottawa thanks residents for their patience as Kiewit-Eurovia-Vinci (KEV) works to complete these construction activities. All pedestrian, cycling, bus, and vehicular movements will generally be maintained during construction, with some detours.
Pedestrians and cyclists should use extra caution when localized detours are in place, and adhere to all posted signage, when travelling to ensure safety, as traffic patterns may change.
Accessibility is an important consideration for the Stage 2 LRT project. The Stage 2 team makes every effort to provide access through and around construction sites. If you require special accommodation, please contact stage2@ottawa.ca.
The safety of the public and the workers is paramount, and we thank you for your patience during construction.
The construction work outlined in this notice is subject to change. Work may be delayed or extended due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
CONTACT US
Work will be ongoing in these areas. Additional construction updates, such as changes to work sequencing and the duration or impact of this work will be communicated via the Stage 2 project e-newsletter. To receive these newsletter updates, please sign up at Ottawa.ca/Stage2connect and select “Pinecrest, Bayshore, or Moodie Station” For other accommodations, or any questions, please contact:
Damon Berlin
Stakeholder Relations, Rail Construction Program
City of Ottawa
damon.berlin@ottawa.ca
www.ottawa.ca/stage2