Construction continues on O-Train East extension, with no timeline for opening to passengers

An O-Train on Line 1 is seen in this undated image. (CTV News Ottawa)

Construction and train testing continues on the new O-Train eastern extension into Orléans, but there is still no word on when passengers will be riding the rails.

A report for the June 12 Transit Committee meeting provides an update on construction on Stage 2 of the light rail transit system, which includes extending O-Train Line 1 from Blair Station to Trim Station.

“In the east, final construction activities and train testing are well underway and nearing completion,” says the report, submitted by Transit Services general manager Renee Amilcar.

“Remaining major fleet activities include software upgrades and operator training. Communication rooms and the setup of system parameters, to ensure devices such as switches and cameras function as required, is now complete at all stations in the east. Communication systems testing continues.”

• Final construction activities, testing ‘well underway’ to run O-Train into Orléans

Amilcar says the commissioning of the communication-based train control system is “well advanced with multiple trains continuing to run in loops.”

“Boundary testing between stage 1 and Stage 2 territories has been completed.

OC Transpo has already said O-Train Line 1 service will be affected on the weekends of July 5 and 26 for Stage 2 Integration work, and there will be additional impacts on Line 1 through the summer as testing and commissioning progresses on the eastern extension.

Amilcar says operator training on Stage 2 East is expected to begin in late July, which will lead to the certification of the required number of personnel to support trial running on the O-Train line.

The report says there is several things to do before opening the eastern extension of O-Train Line 1 to customers, with the “path to revenue service” including testing and commissioning, substantial completion, trial running and final safety approval.

After the contractor achieves substantial completion, the city will begin trial running on the east extension and the existing Stage 1.  Amilcar says trial running will “exercise and evaluate the performance” of the system’s  infrastructure, vehicles, operating and maintenance personnel and operating procedures. There will be a 21-day Trial Running period before launch.

The report does not mention a timeline for opening the O-Train East Extension, but Amilcar has previously mentioned the fall for opening to passengers.

Here is a look at some of the items to be completed, according to the report.

System installation, integration, testing and commissioning

“Significant work is currently underway to integrate communication systems for the east extension with the existing live systems on Line 1,” Amilcar said.

“Testing of systems began in a lab environment and will be migrated to a production environment over the next several weeks. This iterative and complex integration process will be phased and carefully coordinated to minimize customer impact.”

Amilcar says the majority of the system integration work will be conducted during overnight hours, but there may be some closures on the O-Train line.

Operations and maintenance readiness

Amilcar says “work is progressing” on the training program, staffing and recruitment and maintenance readiness.

The hiring of new Electric Rail Operators and the familiarization training are underway, and training on Stage 2 is expected to begin in late July.

Line 1 East Stations

Amilcar says occupancy permits for the stations are expected over the summer.

“Station occupancy for the east stations is nearly complete with deficiency closeout, building code service reviews, and occupancy permits expected in Q3 2025.”

Work outside the “guideway”

Amilcar says work “outside the guide” required for substantial completion is currently underway, including grading, drainage, headwall installation, slope finishing, top-lift paving, guardrail installation and landscaping along Highway 174.

That work is expected to be completed this spring.

The second phase, following Substantial Completion, includes slope finishing, top-lifting paving, guardrail installation and landscaping.

Once the eastern extension opens, Line 1 will stretch 25 kilometres between Tunney’s Pasture and Trim Station.

The western extension from Tunney’s Pasture to Moodie Drive and Algonquin College is scheduled to open in 2027.