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 spring season, activities will focus on preparation of the Transitway for guideway construction, advancing station construction, road work, 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 and will be located in a trench underneath Pinecrest Road and Moodie Drive and on a bridge over Holly Acres Road. Traffic will be shifted during construction to make space for the new structures (i.e., stations, bridges, roads etc.) and the LRT guideway. Interchange ramps will continue to incur adjustments, shifts, or temporarily closures to enable construction activities. The Transitway is permanently closed between Holly Acres and Moodie Drive and in April the Transitway will permanently close between Pinecrest Drive and Bayshore Mall.
Construction activities are scheduled so that the duration and extent of the impacts on all modes of transportation and the local community are minimized.
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 be ongoing in multiple areas, involving 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. Pinecrest Station electrical system installation work is underway.
Road work will be completed on Greenbank Road and Lisa Avenue, and at the Highway 417 eastbound ramp, to accommodate buses during the Transitway closure. A new bus turnaround area to the northwest of the interchange will be paved this spring, for use during the Transitway closure on April 24, 2022. The Pinecrest westbound 417 off-ramp is closed to traffic for an extended period of construction until summer of 2023.
Bayshore Station
Utility relocation work near the Transitway and Bayshore Shopping Centre will continue through spring. The Transitway will close in April between Pinecrest interchange and Bayshore Station and will remain open for buses between Bayshore and Holly Acres. Once all utilities have been relocated, construction of the LRT station will begin later this year.
Holly Acres Road
At Holly Acres Road and the Transitway the new bridge structure for the LRT flyover is nearing completion with work continuing on the support walls on the northwest side through the spring. Final work to widen and add a traffic lane on the south side off-ramp from the Highway, will continue prior to the Transitway closure and bus detour in April.
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, ensuring no at-grade crossings of the LRT. Work continues underneath Moodie Drive at the 417 on the guideway connecting with the LMSF.
The new Moodie Station construction is underway with early preparatory work, 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. A pedestrian and cyclist detour is in place between the east side of Corkstown Road and the bus stop on Moodie Drive. LMSF construction is progressing on the switchyard and the pump station buildings with system installations, exterior siding, underground utilities, and concrete works.
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 some 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.
For residents whose property borders the affected construction zones, equipment in the area may cause additional noise and occasional vibration as the work progresses. Noise and vibration from trucks and heavy equipment are expected. Trucks will use approved haul routes. Workers and contractors will park in designated parking areas. Street sweeping will be ongoing along truck routes and around construction zones.
The City of Ottawa thanks residents for their patience as 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 patterns may have changed.
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 electronic updates, Public Notices, and Lookaheads, please sign up at Ottawa.ca/Stage2connect and select Moodie Station, Bayshore Station and/or Pinecrest Station. For other accommodations, or any questions, please contact:
Damon Berlin
Stakeholder Relations
Rail Construction Program
City of Ottawa
damon.berlin@ottawa.ca
ottawa.ca/stage2
You can subscribe to updates from the Stage 2 Team here.