Ottawa’s LRT southern extension gets ‘substantial completion’ designation

Article content

The next stage of Ottawa’s LRT system has moved another step closer to service.

Article content

In a memo addressed to the mayor and councillors Tuesday afternoon, City of Ottawa transit general manager Renée Amilcar said builder TransitNext had achieved “substantial completion” on the southern extension to the system known as lines 2 and 4.

Following a thorough review process, Amilcar wrote, an independent certifier had earlier on Nov. 26 issued a confirmation that the substantial completion requirements outlined in the project agreement had been met.

Article content

“The city is now focused on the process and remaining activities to achieve revenue service,” Amilcar wrote. “Lines 2 and 4 are federally regulated and require regulatory reviews and two certificates. This work has been ongoing, and the city is seeking a Certificate of Fitness from the Canadian Transportation Agency and confirmation of the notice of change in operations for the Railway Operating Certificate from Transport Canada. Both are required before the system can open to the public.”

In preparation for the start of revenue service on the much-delayed southern extension of LRT, OC Transpo has also started “final readiness activities,” Amilcar’s memo said.

That will include: additional drills and service scenarios; emergency exercises, including an integrated full-scale exercise with emergency personnel; winter readiness drills and planning; continued training for diesel rail operators; and a dress rehearsal of the full “revenue service system function.”

Amilcar said TransitNext must also submit the final safety case and the final report from the independent safety assessor. The city’s Independent safety auditor would then provide a statement indicating there were no objections to the start of passenger service.

Share this article in your social network

Source