Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission O-Train 'Confederation Line'
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The Confederation Line is a grade-separated rapid Light Rail Transit (LRT) system between Tunney's Pasture and Blair Stations. The 12.5 kilometre line has thirteen stations with a 3.2 kilometre underground section with 3 stations serving downtown and near the University of Ottawa Campus.[1] The line opened on September 14 2019.
History
In December 2012, Council approved the $2.13 billion light rail project. An agreement with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) for the responsibility to design, build, finance, and maintain the light rail system was finalized in February 2013.[2] RTG, a consortium of ACS Infrastructure Canada, Ellis Don, Dragados Canada, SNC-Lavalin, and Veolia Transportation, is responsible for maintaining the system for a period of 30 years.[3]
Start of construction was marked with the hand-over of the maintenance and storage facility site on April 19, 2013. It is expected to be complete by 2015. Construction of the downtown tunnel was marked in October with the assembly of the first roadheader, the machine used to carve out the tunnel. Tunneling was briefly interrupted by a road collapse near the east portal.
The first LRV was completed near the end of 2016 and had begun low speed testing between Blair and Cyrville stations. Delivery of the remaining LRVs, as well as extensive testing, continued through 2018 and 2019. By February 2019, it was reported that issues with the LRVs played a part in delaying the opening of the Confederation Line. Only 14 vehicles were complete or ready for testing along the entire 12.5-kilometre line.[4] By early March 2019, progress on the vehicles had been made. Twenty-four LRVs were certified for use. However, Rideau Transit Group advised the City that it would not be able to meet the handover deadline of March 31, 2019.[5] Problems with doors and brakes continued to delay the project.[6] Mayor Jim Watson advised that as of July 7, 2019, Alstom delivered all 34 LRVs and that a new handover date was set for August 16.[7] This deadline was not met either. The City finally gained control of the line on August 23, with service beginning on September 14.
Stations
West to east.
- Tunney's Pasture (being rebuilt)
- Bayview (being rebuilt)
- Pimisi (replaces LeBreton station)
- Lyon (new station underground)
- Parliament (new station underground)
- Rideau (new station underground)
- uOttawa (being rebuilt; formerly named Campus station)
- Lees (being rebuilt)
- Hurdman (being rebuilt)
- Tremblay (being rebuilt; formerly named Train station)
- St. Laurent (being rebuilt)
- Cyrville (being rebuilt)
- Blair (being rebuilt)
Fleet
Rideau Transit Group awarded Alstom Transport the contract for 34 light rail vehicles (LRVs) dubbed the Citadis Spirit.[8] The 49-metre long vehicles are capable of operating in sets of two and at a top speed of 100 km/h. Each fully low floor vehicle will seat 120 passengers and have space for four wheelchairs. Thales Transportation Solutions has supplied Communications-Based Train Control, which automatic train supervision and protection.[9]
A final full-scale mock-up of the Citadis Spirit LRV was presented to the public at the Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park on January 29, 2015 and was on display until the end of March. The mock-up is now used as a simulator for training operators and is located at 925 Belfast.
The vehicles were fabricated in Hornell, New York and assembled in Ottawa at the Belfast MSF. By the summer of 2016, construction of the first vehicle was well underway. On November 16, 2016, the nearly-completed LRV was delivered to Belfast Yard which is located beside the St. Laurent bus garage. By the end of the month, OC Transpo had begun low speed testing of the LRV between Blair and Cyrville stations.
Active
| Fleet number(s) | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | A/C | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1101-1134 | 
|
2016–2019 | Alstom | Citadis Spirit | Yes | |
| 1137-1141 | 2019 | Alstom | Citadis Spirit | Yes |
On Order
38 more trains were ordered as part of the Stage 2 project to offer expanded services. The first 13 (1135-1147) of these vehicles will be assembled in Ottawa, while the remaining vehicles will be assembled in Brampton. As of the end of August 2021, 1137 through 1141 had entered service.
| Fleet number(s) | Thumbnail | Entering Service | Manufacturer | Model | A/C | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1135-1136 | 2020 | Alstom | Citadis Spirit | Yes | ||
| 1142-1172 | 2020-2021 | Alstom | Citadis Spirit | Yes |
References
- ↑ Ottawa’s Light Rail Future Unveiled, ottawa.ca, retrieved on 2011-07-15
- ↑ Awarded the Confederation Line (Press release). SNC-Lavalin. Retrieved in 02 September 2013.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ [4]
- ↑ [5]
- ↑ Alstom to provide 34 light rail vehicles and maintenance services for Ottawa (Press release). Alstom Transport. Retrieved in 01 September 2013.
- ↑ Thales Canada awarded Ottawa LRT Signalling Contract. Press release. 28 February 2013. Thales Canada. Retrieved on 23 December 2016.
