Opening LRT east extension by end of 2025 ‘achievable,’ committee hears

You won’t be able to ride O-Train Line 1 this weekend because of a significant step toward opening the extension to Orléans. CTV’s Kimberley Fowler reports.

Ahead of a major test of the new east extension of O-Train Line 1, officials with OC Transpo say they’re still aiming toward opening the line to passengers in Orléans by the end of this year.

No firm opening date was given at Thursday’s Transit Committee meeting, which went over the next steps that will need to be taken before passengers can ride trains all the way east to Trim Station, but city staff remained cautiously optimistic that a 2025 service launch is achievable.

“I think what we have said previously, and you’re probably familiar with the response, is that we will open when we’re ready, and so that’s the process we’re following now,” said Director of Rail Construction Richard Holder.

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“We’re very clear that we need to achieve the scope of the project agreement, we need to ensure that the system is running reliably and safely, we need to ensure that everybody is ready,” he continued. “The timelines we’re working to…we believe that it is achievable, as a stretch target, to be ready by the end of the year.”

In a presentation to committee, Holder outlined six steps that are required before revenue service is achieved, allowing passengers to board. Currently, Holder says we are on the first step—testing and commissioning and Line 1 integration. From there, are substantial completion—when OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) take over train operations and rail maintenance, respectively—followed by pre-trial running, trial running, safety approvals, and system preparations.

“The pre-trial running period will have the same requirements as trial running, and allows EWC (East-West Connectors, the contracted group building the extension), RTM and OC Transpo teams to make any adjustments ahead of trial running,” Holder said.

The presentation showed that pre-trial running is expected to take five to 10 days.

Trial running will begin after that.

“This will be the final exam for the three partners—the city, EWC, and RTM—and will extend for a minimum of 21 days,” said Holder. “We will all have a role to play to successfully achieve trial running. The objective is to demonstrate that all elements of the system function as intended.”

Final safety approvals and system preparations are scheduled to take a “minimum of 10 business days” according to the presentation to committee, after which, revenue service can begin.

Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney says he’s not convinced east-end service will be available before 2026.

“I always take everything with a grain of salt. (OC Transpo) still seem to think that they can go ahead and launch this service before the end of the year. I’m not holding my breath. I think it’s going to be in the new year, probably more like February,” he told CTV News Ottawa.

Transit Committee also heard that 27 new trains have been delivered to and accepted by the city, one is in final inspection, three are in dynamic testing, four are still in production, and three more are awaiting production.

Weekend test a major milestone

A significant test of the entire line, from Tunney’s Pasture Station in the west all the way to Trim Station in the east is scheduled to take place this weekend.

Passengers will not be able to ride O-Train Line 1 on Saturday or Sunday while crews test the full length of the extended line to demonstrate it can achieve service levels specified in the project agreement.

“On Saturday, we will run through multiple test scenarios to stress the system, utilizing 23 double-car trains between Tunney’s Pasture and Trim stations,” said Holder. “During this time, temporary speed restrictions will be safely suspended to assess travel times and headways as contemplated in the project agreement.”

Holder told councillors that they are aiming to achieve speeds of up to 80 km/h in some parts of the line in the east end.

“I know that conducting these tests will cause further disruption to customers, and appreciate their patience as we continue to make progress,” Holder said.

R1 bus service will be in effect all weekend to move passengers to Line 1 stations between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair during normal hours of operation.

Tierney said there is excitement in the east end for the eventual opening of the line.

“Certainly, there will be a lot of testing this weekend. We’ve seen the train crawl along right now between the middle of the roadway along the 174. You’re going to see it moving at 80km/h. So, this is good, picking up speed like the project itself, even though it’s a year and half behind. We’re getting near the final steps, and I think that’s kind of critical,” he said.

Riders, too, said they were looking forward to riding the extended train line.

“It will definitely help me a lot because going from the bus stop all the way to Blair, and then from Blair to University can take a while with train stoppages traffic and all that, but the train all the way down to Centre it will be the best option,” said Hamdi Elsaddik. “From the bus to the university takes me about 45 minutes to 50 minutes. I think with just the train (it will) probably just be half an hour.”

Idris Mtwrri says he believes his commute will be cut in half.

“I take it from Jean D’arc to here, it will be easy to arrive at work on time.”

West extension

Work on the west extension, from Tunney’s Pasture to Moodie Station and Algonquin College, remains ongoing, with service not expected until 2027.

Staff say rail installation has been completed, and the installation of the overhead power system is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Test trains have operated on a section of track between the Corkstown Yard Maintenance and Storage Facility and Pinecrest Station.

Utility work and roadwork on Richmond Road will continue through the remainder of this year. Completion of Richmond Road revitalization is slated for next year.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Kimberley Fowler