Construction is still very much under way on the eastern extension of the City of Ottawa’s Stage 2 light rail project, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The entire project, which is valued at $4.6 billion, will see the city’s light rail network expanded to the east, west and south. The project is being split into three separate initiatives—the Confederation Line West Extension, Confederation Line East Extension and the Trillium Line South Extension. Once complete, it will add 44 kilometres of track and 24 stations to the city’s light rail network.

The Confederation Line East extension will add 12 kilometres to the line from Blair Road to Place d’Orléans Station and then extend to Trim Road—principally along the median of Highway 174.

It will have five stations—at Montreal Road, Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard, Orléans Boulevard, Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre and Trim Road. Construction of that portion of the project, as well as the extension in the west end of the city, is being led by East-West Connectors (EWC), a consortium that includes Kiewit, Eurovia, VINCI and Bird Construction.

The extension is expected to come into service in 2024.

A report from the City of Ottawa outlines several of the aspects of construction that are expected to occur throughout this year.

New bridges at Montreal Road interchange

Work on two new bridges at the Highway 174-Montreal Road interchange is one of the most significant components of the east extension. Since the line’s Montreal Station will be located above Montreal Road within the Highway 174 median, the project requires construction of two new bridges over the highway, as well as a reconfiguration of the interchange to shift ramps, traffic, utilities and pathways away from the site of the future station.

Through March, crews had relocated the existing ramps and installed excavation support on both sides of the highway. Beginning in April and continuing through the summer, crews will prepare for construction of the bridge and lay its superstructure and decking.

East Rail Flyover Bridge

The rail line extension also calls for a flyover rail bridge to be built 800 metres east of the interchange between Highway 174 and Blair Road. The East Flyover Rail Bridge will bring the Confederation Line East from the north side of the highway into the Highway 174 median.

Before the bridge can be built, crews must build new lanes on the south side of Highway 174 to divert traffic. Once that is complete, they will demolish the existing bud rapid transit bridge, and prepare for construction of the flyover bridge.

Construction of the new lanes on the south side of Highway 174 is expected to start this spring. By the end of this year, all traffic on Highway 174 will be shifted to its new alignment.

Highway 174 roadworks and utility works

Major roadworks are also planned for Highway 174 to accommodate the rail project. In addition to shifting lanes to allow for the construction of the flyover bridge, works are also underway to reconfigure highway ramps at the interchange with Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard, and at the intersection of Trim Road and Highway 174. Both will begin this spring.

A significant amount of utility relocation and replacement work between Blair Road and Trim Road will also occur through the remainder of this year and next.

Station construction 

The project schedule calls for only moderate work on stations along the line extension. The focus of construction through this year includes road, utility and bridge work. Most station construction will occur in 2021 and beyond.

Preparatory work is, however, planned for the Place d’Orléans Station. Excavation and site preparation will begin in early fall 2020. Following this, concrete will be placed for the start of foundation, wall and platforms.

Meanwhile, several phases of work are required to create the newly realigned Trim Road and intersection. Construction of a new eastbound ramp, along with the relocation of Highway 174 eastbound and westbound lanes will allow for excavation of the realigned Trim Road to occur.

Construction of a new bus facility will also begin late in the year.

Sound attenuation walls 

Finally, the project calls for sound attenuation walls will be installed at five locations along the line:

• East Acres Road to the existing wall at the Montreal Interchange
• Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard to Orleans Boulevard
• Orléans Boulevard to Champlain Street
• Champlain Street to Tenth Line Road
• Tenth Line Road to Trim Road

Site grading and other preparatory works for installation will begin at select locations late in 2021, while installation of the walls is scheduled for 2022.