Two-way O-Train Line 1 back in service at Blair Station, but switch heater repairs remain

OC Transpo resumed two-way LRT service on Line 1 in the east end Wednesday afternoon after part of the line was shut down just after 7 a.m. because a single-car crash near Blair Station had caused a gas leak supplying switch heaters.

A memo from Renée Amilcar, Ottawa’s general manager of transit services, said OC Transpo had determined that service at Blair Station “can resume safely on both platforms while repairs to the gas line are undertaken. Switch heaters near Blair Station will not be functioning as they receive gas through the damaged line. OC Transpo will monitor the switches carefully until the gas line is fully repaired, and (Rideau Transit Maintenance) will have staff available to manually clear snow or debris from the switches if required.”

Article content

R1 replacement bus service was to provide final trips to ensure that all customers were accommodated, the memo added.

An investigation by RTM had determined equipment required to complete the repairs would have to be brought to the impacted area using nearby Highway 174, Amilcar said, necessitating a temporary lane closure of the Blair Road on-ramp to the westbound 174.

At about 7 a.m., Ottawa Fire Services reported that a single vehicle had driven off Highway 174 westbound at Blair Road, causing the gas leak from the switch heaters.

The fire chief in command had the LRT shut down and Enbridge Gas worked to contain the leak.

There were no reported injuries.

OC Transpo said LRT service between Tunney’s Pasture and St. Laurent was not affected.

Meanwhile, on the new Line 2, riders were briefly shunted to a single platform at South Keys Station on Wednesday because of a switch issue. That issue was later resolved.