Amazon dismantling portions of new distribution centre under construction in Barrhaven

Amazon confirms to CTV News Ottawa it is dismantling a portion of its Barrhaven warehouse. CTV’s Dylan Dyson reports.

Amazon is dismantling a portion of its new warehouse currently under construction in Barrhaven.

The world’s largest retailer is building a 3.1 million sq. ft. distribution centre on Bill Leathem Drive at Leikin Drive in Barrhaven. It will be Amazon’s third distribution centre in Ottawa.

However, construction has stalled at the site in recent weeks.

Amazon confirmed to CTV News Ottawa it is taking down part of the structure but wouldn’t say why.

“Amazon has begun to disassemble portions of the existing structure and intend to rebuild in a manner that ensures that the building’s design meets future requirements,” the retailer said in a statement.

“Amazon constantly explores opportunities to optimize our designs in order for our facilities to better serve customers.”

In a follow-up statement, Amazon said the future requirements are “related to how the site will operate.”

Amazon did not respond to questions about whether there were problems with the soil at the site.

A geotechnical investigation by Medusa LP in 2021 noted the “site stratigraphy consists of a native silt and clay, overlying a clayey silt deposit followed by a glacial till deposit and ultimately bedrock.”

Neither Amazon nor Broccolini have said whether the soil is the reason for the disassembling of portions of the structure.

The plans for the Amazon distribution centre call for a five-storey building with 59 loading docks and a fenced truck yard to accommodate 482 trailers.

Broccolini is the contractor for the facility.

There is no word on when the Amazon facility will open.

Amazon has fulfilment centres on Boundary Road in Carlsbad Springs and on Citigate Drive in Barrhaven.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dylan Dyson

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