OC Transpo identifies ‘deficiencies’ with O-Train Line 1 east extension

OC Transpo says it is working to address “deficiencies” identified on the O-Train East Extension. CTV’s Dylan Dyson reports.

OC Transpo says more work needs to be done on the O-Train Line 1 east extension before the City of Ottawa signs off on it to begin the final tests needed to open the line to transit riders.

In a memo to city council, issued Thursday, interim general manager of Transit Services Troy Charter said some unspecified “deficiencies” were discovered during a documentation review and on-site assessments of the extension that will bring the LRT line east to Orléans.

“During the final stages of this process, we identified deficiencies that need to be remedied before the city will provide an opinion that substantial completion has been achieved,” Charter wrote.

“OC Transpo and East-West Connectors (EWC) are working collaboratively to address these items as quickly as possible. Work will take place at Place d’Orléans and Jeanne d’Arc stations and at other points along the track,” he wrote. “To safely complete this work, some activities will require traffic impacts in lanes of the OR174 adjacent to the tracks.”

Charter did not specify what the “deficiencies” are or how long the required work might take.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Richard Holder, director of the Rail Construction Program, said the work will include “specialized track infrastructure and sections of reinforced concrete,” but he did not elaborate further.

“This process reflects the intended rigour of the Project Agreement, ensuring that all systems are fully verified, safe, and ready for reliable operation prior to Substantial Completion and the start of Trial Running. Ongoing evaluations will continue as this work progresses, culminating in final confirmation of Substantial Completion by the Independent Certifier,” Holder said.

In September, Transit Committee members heard that there were six steps left before the line opens to the public: testing and commissioning and Line 1 integration, substantial completion—when OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) take over train operations and rail maintenance, respectively—pre-trial running, trial running, safety approvals, and system preparations.

Coun. Laura Dudas, who represents Orléans West-Innes Ward where many of the new east extension stops will be located, says she is glad the issues are being resolved now, instead of when the line is fully operational.

“I’d rather they identify these issues while they’re in the testing phase, when the city and when the public is ready to take on this system. It’s got to be ready. I don’t want to see any issues,” Dudas told CTV News Ottawa.

The councillor says the news demonstrates progress for OC Transpo.

“There’s been a long journey of OC Transpo trying to win back riders trust, the public’s trust, and this is a huge step in the right direction by sharing these details with the community, with councilors,” Dudas said.

Charter said Thursday that “significant progress” had been made on the first step, but the “deficiencies” will delay moving to the next step.

“OC Transpo and EWC will continue to work through a deliberate and thorough process to ensure that the East Extension is safe and ready for customers and meets all Project Agreement requirements,” said Charter. “Once this work is done, the validation that the East Extension design and construction work is substantially complete will conclude with a confirmation from the Independent Certifier.”

There has been no firm date as to when the east extension of O-Train Line 1 will open to the public. Transit Committee members were told in September that an opening before the end of 2025 was “achievable as a stretch target.”

“When is this going to launch? My answer has always been, we will accept it when it’s ready,” Dudas said. “Because to be frank, the minute the city takes it, it means it’s our responsibility as a city. It’s rider’s responsibility to inherit any issues.”

Pre-trial running, once it begins, is expected to take five to 10 days, and trial running will last a minimum of 21 days.

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