Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa has provided an update on the progress of the O-Train extension project, saying significant progress has been made in recent months.
The Light Rail Sub-Committee heard on Thursday (Aug. 28) that the expansion project has reached key milestones, including expanding testing on the O-Train East extension from Blair to Trim Station, completing structural work on the west extension from Tunney’s Pasture to Algonquin and Moodie Stations, and ongoing training for new diesel rail operators and controllers for O-Train South Line 2 from Bayview to Limebank stations and line 4 from South Keys to the Ottawa International Airport.
The city said that in the east, system integration work and station construction are progressing well, with Highway 174 structural improvements scheduled to be completed this year, including final paving from Champlain Street to east of Trim Station by the end of 2024.
The installation and testing of an overhead catenary system (OCS) has also been completed in the east, while in the west, installation of the OCS at the Corkstown Yard light maintenance and storage facility has begun, with track work having already been completed.
While significant progress has been made in the overall project, a number of critical tasks need to be completed before the O-Train South extension can begin trial running, the city says. These include finishing work on the overhead catenary system and the associated equipment, as well as ensuring a successful test period of the system.