Rail Flyover Bridge
Construction of the future guideway from Lincoln Fields Station under Carling Avenue into Connaught Park will be built in phases. Crews are currently working on relocating utilities in several areas, out of the way of future LRT infrastructure. They have also started building piers for the rail flyover bridge, which will ultimately be completed late in 2021.
The rail flyover bridge is being constructed using slab-on-girder (support beam) bridge construction, with an approximate length of 186 metres. The average clearance under the bridge is approximately 5 metres and the elevation is approximately 8 metres, although it varies with the natural grade fluctuations of the existing landscape.
Currently the bridge pads are nearing completion, and caisson drilling has begun. Caissons are drilled shafts filled with concrete and is a type of deep foundation. Overnight construction work will be required periodically.
New Pedestrian Bridge & Pathway Connections Through Construction
The existing pedestrian bridge over the Transitway will be replaced with a new pedestrian bridge in 2021, that will cross over the future LRT tracks. This will have a steel truss construction, handrails and safety screening, and have piers and caisson shaft foundation. The existing bridge will remain in use until the new bridge is ready for use by the public.
The pathway along the west side of Pinecrest Creek will be detoured with a temporary pathway, which will be completed this summer. This detour is required to safely move pedestrians and cyclists further away from the construction zone, although it does cross between the flyover bridge and cut and cover tunnel construction areas therefore some construction vehicles may be crossing it at times. Existing access points from the community to the pathway will be maintained.
Domestic Water Wells
Dewatering pumps will be installed to keep ground water out of various excavation sites so crews can complete their work. A search of well water records was conducted as a precaution prior to start of work in the area, which identified 24 records of domestic water supply wells.
Although it is unlikely that residential homes are still operating on domestic wells, if you are still connected to a well for domestic purposes and are concerned about dewatering activities, please contact us so that an assessment of your well can be made prior to the start of work.
Anticipated Environmental and Connectivity Impacts
Noise and temporary disruptions are anticipated. Most active construction operations will occur during daytime hours, although overnight work is also required with a valid Noise By-law exemption permit that is re-evaluated on a regular basis. Construction operations are only scheduled during overnight hours as needed and will include a variety of construction operations such as concrete pouring work, excavation, refueling, dewatering, and ongoing equipment operation such as pumps or generators.
Monitoring devices for sound and vibration levels will be placed in multiple areas to make sure levels do not exceed pre-determined project limits. Devices will be placed in key work zones to be able to monitor close to residences and businesses, to keep work within limits. Dust mitigation will occur by way of regular water trucks on site, as well as sweeper trucks on area roadways.
A temporary access road in Connaught Park, on the southwest side of the Transitway from Severn Avenue up to the Carling Avenue ramps, will be completed this summer. Construction vehicles and machinery will primarily utilize this route in order to reduce usage of residential roadways. Although at times some trucks and equipment may use alternate routes to access work sites including Queensview Drive, Carling Avenue, the Transitway, Connaught Avenue, Tavistock Road, and other streets in the wider area as required.
A pedestrian and cycling multi-use pathway detour in Connaught Park, southwest of Pinecrest Creek and the Transitway, will be constructed prior to closure of a portion of the existing pathway, with signage and fencing in place. This detour will allow work to progress while maintaining safe public access through the park, although it will cross the temporary access road for construction vehicles. Vegetation trimming will be required, as well as the potential for some minor vegetation removal, although the path’s route is being designed around trees to reduce the amount of vegetation affected as much as possible.
Tree Removal may occur
Additional tree removal and tree trimming in the wider area may occur, only as deemed necessary after considerable review and with all required approvals and surveys. Each tree is inventoried and all removals will be replaced once landscaping occurs after construction, towards the end of the project.
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For other any questions, please contact us:
- stage2@ottawa.ca
- ottawa.ca/stage2
