Stage 2 - Confederation Line - Construction Updates

[Shane]

Great find. 

Here are some changes I noticed on my end.

• The path of the guideway between Blair and Montreal after reaching into the median does sweep into the eastbound lanes of the 174 for a segment, and again leaving Montreal heading east, in the large highway curve, the guideway again passes directly onto the eastbound lanes. While we do know the lanes will be reconfigured and moved apart in the area surrounding Montreal station and the new overpasses, it seems to extend somewhat further out than originally thought, to create a more gradual curve for the train. (Hopefully allowing it to hit and maintain a higher speed in these segments).

[J.OT13]

Stage 2 active transportation connectivity for west end stations (Tunney's to Baseline and Moodie).

https://ottawa.ca/en/city-hall/public-engagement/projects/stage-2-lrt-station-connectivity-enhancement-study

[Shane]

The changes to come for Tunney's Pasture are quite interesting and strange. They make it seem like the bus loop will move more west of the station (or in other words, the east half of the bus loop will be removed). Very odd. Granted the bus flow will significantly drop from what it is now though.

[J.OT13]

O-Train West Extension - Construction Update
July 3, 2020

In the west, utility relocation activities are underway in preparation for the commencement of cut and cover tunnel construction later this year, preparation for a new road bridge at Iris is underway, and work at Lincoln Fields is in full swing.

Tree Removal

• Dominion Station
• Tree trimming and minor brush removal will take place in Connaught Park to accommodate a future multi-use pathway.
  

Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility

• Excavation and embankment construction are underway at the new Moodie Light Maintenance Storage Facility.
• Culvert construction is expected to begin in early July.
  

Baseline Station Area

• Soil stripping on going at the new bus operator building.
• Relocation of utilities for new bus operator building – upcoming
• Construction on new building scheduled to begin in July.
  

Pinecrest Creek Pond

• Hydro line relocation to start mid-July.
  

Iris Station Area

• A hydro line is being temporarily relocated on the north side of Iris Street in advance of the culvert extension.
• Excavation is ongoing, within the fenced off area, north of Iris Street. Foundation construction is taking place to support the future culvert.
  

Connaught Cut and Cover Tunnel

• Utility relocation work is underway in Connaught Park.
• Connaught Avenue is being widened near the future tunnel location to accommodate future utility relocations.
• Crews are preparing to construct a pathway on the south side of Pinecrest Creek.
• Flyover foundation construction has started. Fourth drill shaft to be poured in early July.
  

Lincoln Fields Station Area

• Crews are relocating a storm sewer that conflicts with the future Lincoln Fields Station and guideway.
• Carling Avenue utility work is ongoing on the south side of Carling.
  

Byron and Richmond Corridor (Byron Linear Park)

• Hydro Ottawa duct bank excavations have started on the north side of Richmond Road between Woodroffe Avenue and Cleary Avenue.
• Sidewalk construction is underway on the south side of Byron Avenue.
• Sidewalk construction will begin on Richmond Road between McEwen Avenue and Redwood Avenue.
• Hydro relocation work has also started on Richmond Road near McEwen Park and is progressing east.
  

Rochester Field Laydown Site

• This site will be used for the coordination of equipment, crews, and materials that will support Parkway Tunnel construction.
• Construction site setup has started with the building of an access road and fence installation.
  

Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway (SJAM)

• Excavation, granular, paving and drainage work ongoing.
• The pathway on the south side of the SJAM has been closed with a detour in place.
• Lane closures will be needed at the SJAM at Carling Avenue, by Lincoln Fields in order to relocate utilities.
  

Excavation is ongoing at Connaught Park for sanitary sewer relocation.

Stage 2 Confederation Line West Extension Connectivity Review

The Rail Construction Program is reviewing Stage 2 station connectivity and will be inviting the public to comment on how they will get to stations. Early concepts for the Stage 2 Confederation Line West stations have been posted to Ottawa.ca/Stage2 for public comment. Stakeholders are asked to provide feedback by July 10, 2020. This process has been completed for the Confederation Line East and Trillium Line South Extensions.

Communications and Stakeholder Relations

All City of Ottawa in-person public meetings are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rail Construction Program is using other means and methods for sharing information with the public.
Stakeholders can stay up to date on the Stage 2 LRT project by visiting Ottawa.ca/Stage2, where they can view the following:

• Stage 2 LRT interactive map
• Stage 2 LRT newsletter
• Station descriptions and renderings
• Fact sheets and other helpful resources
  

https://mailchi.mp/8620371552e9/o-train-west-extension-may-2020-construction-update-1035428?e=a999a549a3

[J.OT13]

O-Train South Extension - Construction Update
July 3, 2020

In the south, there is ongoing work at the Walkley Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) and on multiple rail bridges including Airport Parkway, Uplands Road, Lester Road, Leitrim Road, Bowesville Road, Earl Armstrong Road, and Limebank Road.

Existing Trillium Line:

Gladstone Station

▪ Rock excavation is underway through the use of hoe ramming and controlled blasting.

Carleton Station

▪ Work is starting at Carleton Station to create a laydown area. MUP and pedestrian detours will be implemented to reroute the public away from construction.

Dows Lake Tunnel

▪ Preparations are underway for the removal of rail in the Dows Lake Tunnel.
▪ Rail and track ties have been removed from outside the south entrance of the Dows Lake Tunnel.

Ellwood Diamond

▪ Crews have removed the northbound and southbound sections of rail and track ties to accommodate the construction of the new rail bridge between Mooney’s Bay Station and Walkley Station which will carry Line 2 over the VIA rail corridor.
▪ Caisson work is currently underway.

Walkley Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF)

▪ Crews continue to work on the MSF Main Building foundations including concrete work for the light and heavy maintenance pits, elevator pits, grade beams and underfloor services.
▪ Civil works for the underground utilities including watermain, storm drainage and sanitary system are continuing.
▪ Rail removal near the MSF is underway.

Trillium Line South Extension:

Airport Parkway Rail Bridge

▪ Retaining wall construction is complete.
▪ Crews completed the installation of rail bridge girders during the daytime on June 16 and overnight on June 17.
▪ Precast concrete span girders are hoisted at night with a 500-tonne crane. 

Airport Elevated Guideway

▪ 13 of 17 caissons have been poured to date.
▪ 8 of 17 columns have been poured to date.
▪ Column work is complete at the Airport loading dock and crews are constructing the pier cap.

Uplands Drive Rail Bridge

▪ Crews completed the installation of rail bridge girders overnight on June 8.
▪ Retaining wall construction continues.

Lester Road Rail Bridge

▪ Pier cap construction continues.
▪ Preparations are underway for installation of rail girders on July 2.

Bridge superstructure work continues at Lester Rail Bridge. Girder installation took place on July 2, 2020.

Leitrim Road Rail Bridge

▪ 2 of 4 caissons are complete. The 2 remaining north caissons are pending watermain reconfiguration.
▪ Preparations are underway for 2 of the 4 columns.
▪ Construction of retaining wall is underway.

Bowesville Road Rail Bridge

▪ Crews completed installation of rail bridge girder installation overnight on June 10.

Earl Armstrong Rail Bridge

▪ 4 of 4 caissons are complete.
▪ Work on 4 columns and pier caps continue.

Limebank Elevated Guideway

▪ 5 of 10 caissons are complete.
▪ Crews have started constructing 5 of 10 columns.
▪ Ground improvement work for the Limebank Road embankment continues.

Guideway between Leitrim Road and Earl Armstrong Road

▪ Ground improvement work is underway at the Earl Armstrong Road embankments.

Guideway between Hunt Club Road and Leitrim Road:

▪ Embankment work is ongoing.

https://mailchi.mp/95d2467ff0a5/o-train-south-extension-may-2020-construction-update-1035400?e=a999a549a3

[J.OT13]

 

Edited July 5, 2020 by J.OT13

[J.OT13]

Stage 2 East update, with new Place d'Orleans rendering:

Confederation Line East Extension - Construction Update
July 3, 2020

Construction is underway across all three Stage 2 O-Train Extensions.

In the east, bridge construction is ongoing at the Highway 174 Montreal Road interchange. Utility and road relocation work is occurring across the alignment.

Highway 174 Roadworks between Blair Road to Place d’Orleans area

• Crews continue the construction of new lanes on the south side of Highway 174, east of Blair Road.
• A section of new lanes east of Blair Road has been paved. Bus traffic has been shifted onto the new lanes.
• Monitoring equipment has been installed to ensures noise and vibration levels remain compliant with project limits.
  

Highway 174 Montreal Road Interchange

• Work will continue on the support piers of the new Highway 174 bridges at Montreal Road.
• Excavation, embankment and grading works are underway at the Montreal Road eastbound Highway 174 off-ramp and on-ramps.
• Crews will continue constructing retaining walls, at the north-east and south-east ramp quadrants.
• Drainage work for a new storm sewer is underway near the Highway 174-Montreal Road south-east eastbound on-ramp.
  

Drainage work is underway at Trim Park and Ride.

Utility Relocation - Champlain Avenue at Highway 174

• Significant rock excavation, placement of drainage pipelines along Highway 174, and manhole installation are currently taking place.
• Highway 174 westbound on-ramp, at Champlain Street, has been realigned in order to move the traffic further away from the work zone. The traffic flip will take place this week.
• This preparatory work is required before Place d’Orleans LRT Station construction can begin.
• Nightwork is required to reduce impacts to Highway 174 traffic.
  

Culvert Work along Highway 174

• Crews and equipment will be stripping soil, building access pads, and installing silt fencing, followed by localized pit excavation and culvert installation using a jack and bore method.
• This sequence will occur at each trench location. This trenchless method of construction reduces the amount of excavation required for underground work. This will be done in various locations between Rockcliffe Parkway and Champlain Street along the north and south sides of the highway.
• Nightwork is required to avoid impacting traffic flow on Highway 174. As some work will also occur in the centre median, lane reductions are required.
  

Trim Park and Ride

• Crews and equipment continue to work on stormwater drainage the existing Park and Ride lot. Small sections of parking spaces will be temporarily closed to accommodate this work.
• Excavation has begun for construction of two new Park and Ride lots to the east and south of the existing lot. The number of parking spaces available will ultimately remain the same; the final configuration of Trim LRT Station and Park and Ride requires permanent parking space relocation.
  

Drainage work for a new storm sewer is underway near the Highway 174-Montreal Road south-east eastbound on-ramp.

https://mailchi.mp/5254df1752e0/stage-2-east-extension-may-2020-construction-update-1035420?e=a999a549a3

[Phil]

I stumbled upon a series of illustrations of the new ramp that will be installed to allow the Guide way to go from Blair Station to the median of the Queensway going East.

I have no problem with the way it looks. I lived for two years in Burnaby, BC. and the SkyTrain is constantly in your view. A very minor inconvenience when a city is committed to rapid transit. When Stage 2 is completed, we will really have a rapid transit system for a city of this size... assuming the trains will be working as they're expected to.

The source of these renderings is here: https://ottawa.ca/en/planning-development-and-construction/major-projects/stage-2-light-rail-transit-project/project-updates/stage-2-confederation-line-east-extension-spring-2020-update

[Shane]

I find it will be quite interesting to see being constructed and in actual operation. Definitely will be one of the more defining features of the eastern extension.

The images do show the current Transitway on and off ramps from Blair, which will no longer be used, same for the related overpass. Removing that old infrastructure to replace with the flyover rail bridge balances out and will be more impressive.

[Shane]

MEMO: O-TRAIN STAGE 1 AND STAGE 2 QUARTERLY MEMO TO COUNCIL (Q2 2020)

https://www.otrainfans.ca/news/memo-o-train-stage-1-and-stage-2-quarterly-memo-to-council-q2-2020

[Shane]

Confederation Line East Extension - Construction Update for July July 31, 2020 In the east, Highway 174 road and utility relocation work is ongoing to make way within the centre median for LRT infrastructure. Bridge construction is underway for the rail flyover east of Blair Road, and at the Montreal Interchange. Highway 174 Roadworks between Blair Road to Place d’Orleans area Crews continue the construction of new lanes on the south side of Highway 174, east of Blair Road. Culvert work between Blair Road and Shefford Road is ongoing. A required bus lane closure will remain in place until mid-August in order to accommodate the work zone for the Retained Soil Systems (RSS) wall at Green’s Creek. Monitoring equipment has been installed to ensures noise and vibration levels remain compliant with project limits. Flyover Rail Bridge (East of Blair Road) Preparations to drill bridge caissons within the centre median of Highway 174 are underway. Lane reductions on Highway 174 may be required to accommodate this work. Highway 174 Montreal Road Interchange Excavation, embankment, and grading, and drainage works continue at the Montreal Road eastbound Highway 174 off-ramp and on-ramps. Crews will continue constructing retaining walls, at the north-east and south-east ramp quadrants. Girder erections are progressing for the new Highway 174 Eastbound and Westbound overpass bridges. Preparations for precast panel installation work have begun, which will occur during overnight hours. Lane reductions will be required, alternating between the north and south sides of Montreal Road. Pictured Above: Girder erections for the new Highway 174 Eastbound overpass bridge above Montreal Road. Utility Relocation - Champlain Avenue at Highway 174 Construction on the new Highway 174 westbound on-ramp at Champlain Street is nearing completion. It is being realigned in order to move traffic further away from utility relocation work to get underway soon. Pictured Above: New Highway 174 westbound on-ramp at Champlain Street.   Trenchless Culvert Work along Highway 174 Crews and equipment will be stripping soil, building access pads, and installing silt fencing, followed by localized pit excavation and culvert installation using a jack and bore method. This sequence will occur at each trench location. This trenchless method of construction reduces the amount of excavation required for underground work. This will be done in various locations between Rockcliffe Parkway and Champlain Street along the north and south sides of the highway. Nightwork is required to avoid impacting traffic flow on Highway 174. As some work will also occur in the centre median, lane reductions are required intermittently through summer and fall.    Trim Park and Ride The final configuration of the Trim LRT Station and Park and Ride requires utility relocations in the existing parking lot, and two new lots to be constructed to the east and south of the existing lot. The total number of parking spaces will remain the same. Ductbank and catch basin installations are nearing completion.

[Shane]

O-Train West Extension - Construction Update for July July 31, 2020 In the west, work at Lincoln Fields, Iris, Queensview, and the Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility is in full swing. Construction of the rail flyover bridge in Connaught Park has begun, and utility relocation activities have begun in preparation for the commencement of cut and cover tunnel construction later this year.   Tree Removal Lincoln Fields east side of transitway in August. Lawn Avenue parkette trees to be removed in early August. Moodie Light Maintenance and Storage Facility Excavation and embankment construction are nearing completion. Culvert construction has begun with shoring and caisson work. Preparations for Moodie Drive watermain relocation are underway. Baseline Station Area Construction and excavation on new bus operator building scheduled to begin this summer. Excavation is ongoing in preparation for retaining wall construction near Navaho Drive. Pinecrest Creek Pond Boring for eventual hydro line relocation is complete. Iris Station Area Temporary relocation of a hydro line on the north side of Iris Street is complete, in advance of the culvert extension. Foundation construction is taking place to support the future culvert. Flyover Rail Bridge (south of Lincoln Fields) Bridge drill shafts are complete. Work for piers is ongoing. Connaught Cut and Cover Tunnel Utility and manhole relocation work is ongoing in Connaught Park and on Connaught Avenue. Crews are preparing build a temporary access road for hauling excavated material. A multi-use pathway detour is complete. Lincoln Fields Station Area Crews are relocating a storm sewer that conflicts with the future Lincoln Fields Station and guideway. Carling Avenue utility work is ongoing on the south side of Carling Avenue and on the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. Drainage work and road work for temporary bus loop is ongoing. Soil stripping is ongoing. Carling Avenue south excavation is ongoing. Night work will occur periodically. Byron and Richmond Corridor (Byron Linear Park) Crews have begun erecting temporary concrete barriers, signage, and fencing, for the closure of Byron Linear Park (between Redwood Avenue and Richardson Avenue) to accommodate tunnel and station construction until 2025. Reduced on-street parking on Byron Avenue to accommodate construction. A temporary sidewalk is being completed on the south side of Byron Avenue. Sidewalk construction will begin on Richmond Road between McEwen Avenue & Redwood Avenue. Hydro Ottawa duct bank excavations on the north side of Richmond Road between Woodroffe Avenue and Cleary Avenue is complete. Hydro relocation work on Richmond Road near McEwen Park progressing east. Preparations for New Orchard intersection modification work to begin. Rochester Field Laydown Site This site will be used for the coordination of equipment, crews, and materials that will support LRT tunnel construction. Construction site setup is ongoing with the building of an access road and fence installation. Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway (SJAM) Excavation, granular, paving and drainage work ongoing. The pathway on the south side of the SJAM Parkway has been closed with a detour in place. Lane closures will be needed at the SJAM Parkway at Carling Avenue, by Lincoln Fields in order to relocate utilities. Traffic lane flip to new roadway is expected in July. Construction of drainage outfalls ongoing. Pictured Above: Ongoing excavation in Connaught Park at Hanlon Avenue. Pictured Above: Temporary concrete barrier installation along Byron Linear Park, and temporary sidewalk along the south side of Byron Avenue.   Stage 2 Confederation Line West Extension Connectivity Review The Rail Construction Program is reviewing Stage 2 station connectivity and had invited the public to comment on how they will get to stations along the East, West, and South Extensions. Early concepts for connectivity remain available on Ottawa.ca/Stage2.

[Phil]

On 2020-07-07 at 8:12 PM, Shane said:

The images do show the current Transitway on and off ramps from Blair, which will no longer be used, same for the related overpass. Removing that old infrastructure to replace with the flyover rail bridge balances out and will be more impressive.

Here's an idea of the work being done along the 174 after Blair Station. You can clearly see the work being done on both side the highway.

 

[J.OT13]

The eastbound detour lanes on the 174 are now open. Shouldn't be long before the westbound detour opens as well to allow crews to build the flyover. 

[TransitDaddy]

Seeing this video reminds me of how short-sighted/yet unfortunately predictable it is that the proposed station at Jasmine Cr./Gloucester High School was dropped (though the site for a future station to be built after 2031/whenever will be "protected"). Again, the morning and evening rush hour commutes are seen as most important. The opportunity to provide a station in an area that actually has a high transit use throughout the day, and a significant percentage of working/lower middle income folks who use transit has been missed. On the western extension at least Pinecrest, which will serve similarly-dependent transit users, has been retained even though it is quite close to the Queensview station intended primarily to serve the redevelopment and intensification of properties including and adjacent to the IKEA shopping area