It has been a subject of debate for many years in Ottawa, but today city council approved in a unanimous vote the largest capital investment in its history by bringing light rail transit to Ottawa.
Updated LRT line
The goal is a fully functioning 12.5-kilometre light rail service in place by spring 2018, featuring 13 stations connecting Tunney’s Pasture in the west to Blair Station in the east.
Fifteen public delegations made presentation during a special council meeting,, including representation from the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce. Many of the speakers largely endorsed the revised LRT plan as presented by city staff.
Speaking about the inclusion of public art and cultural identity into the plan, Sharon Jenotte, vice-chair of the arts, heritage and cultural advisory committee, suggested that particular “attention to the cultural aspects can strengthen its long term sustainability.”
The University of Ottawa’s Campus station will also help students commute to school, hospitals and other amenities necessary for campus life, said Claudio Brun del Re, director of physical resource services at the University of Ottawa.
However, not all were in favour.
David Gladstone expressed concern as to whether or not the federal and provincial government could come through with the funding.
One resident, Sunny James, proposed a solar-powered monorail system instead of LRT.
Andy Haydon, former regional chair, took a different approach.
“Choosing LRT ensures you are not smarter than a fifth grader,” said Haydon.
Haydon attacked the LRT plan saying that a bus rapid transit (BRT) is a proven and effective means of transportation in Ottawa. He also accused councillors of closing their mind to evidence and ignoring the consequences of LRT.
“The phrase ‘don’t confuse me with facts’ comes to mind,” said Haydon.
Following public delegations and a recess, city councillors focused their questions on technical issues relating to the plan.
Kanata North Coun. Marianne Wilkinson asked director of rail implementation John Jensen about accessibility issues, with particular focus on elevators maintenance and Para Transpo.
Para Transpo will be integrated into the LRT plan and some stations will include more than one elevator, says Jensen.
Orléans Coun. Bob Monette wanted assurance that no more changes to the plan will be required to keep the $2.1-billion price tag as is.
“We’re very confident in the estimate,” said Jensen.
Parking for bikes is something that will also be considered, Jensen told Capital Ward Coun. David Chernushenko.
Washrooms, however, will not be made available due to cost and security concerns, which upset Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes.
“At Bayview, I guess your option is going to be a bush,” says Holmes.
“There are activities that take place in them (washrooms) that are not ones you’d want to support,” Pat Scrimgeour, OC Transpo manager, said in response.
According to the official report submitted to council by the deputy city manager, Nancy Schepers, “transit ridership per capita in Ottawa is already one of the highest of any city its size in North America.”
The ridership is expected to continue to grow, as population and employment growth are expected to grow 30 per cent over the next 20 years.
The official LRT plan says it should only take 17 minutes to cross downtown by bus, but current congestion makes that seem anywhere from five to ten minutes longer. The LRT will “provide a reliable and rapid three minute and fifteen second service in peak traffic.”
The LRT service is set to be complete by spring of 2018, which is one year earlier than what was projected in the original plan. Initially, a downtown tunnel was planned to be 12-storeys deep, running underneath Albert Street connecting LeBreton and Campus stations.
Concerns over the depth from residents, councillors and stakeholders prompted a re-evaluation of the plan. The 12.5-kilometre LRT service will now include a tunnel running underneath Queen Street, measuring at four-storeys in depth.
The 13 stations include Bayview, Rideau, Train and St. Laurent, which the city hopes will alleviate the “increasingly-severe bottleneck” that challenges OCTranspo. Rideau station will be the largest station, according to city designers, measuring at approximately 29 metres in depth with an entrance in the Rideau Centre and beneath the National Art Centre.
With a price tag of approximately $2.1 billion, the city plans to have the LRT paid off by 2048, relying on gas taxation and transit fares that will increase in accordance with inflation.
City treasurer Marian Simulik highlighted the fact that the LRT will also be partially paid for by the federal and provincial governments to the tune of $5.7 billion over 38 years.
However, “the timing of the receipt of funding doesn’t match the expenditures,” says Simulik. Meaning, that while the city will be receiving funding to pay for the project, but must take on the initial debt as the expenses are mostly frontend and funding will be made available gradually over 38 years.
Requests for proposals will be issued in October and construction is scheduled to start in 2013.