Blasting for the Confederation line tunnel under Queen Street, part of Ottawa's new light rail line, will begin near the intersection of Queen and Kent streets on Friday.
The blasting will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and will last for seven weeks, according to a City of Ottawa press release.
Five short whistles will sound one minute before blasting begins, three short whistles when blasting is imminent, and one long whistle when the blast is all clear, says the release.
Businesses and residents within 150 metres of the blast area were notified Sept. 9, and more reminders will be given 48 hours before blasting begins, the press release says.
Ottawa’s light-rail Confederation line is a $2.1 billion project that will be a part of Ottawa’s LRT system from Tunney to Blair stations. The tunnel will connect three downtown stations and is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
Blasting began at the west-end of the tunnel near the intersection of Albert Street and Bronson Avenue on Sept. 16. It is expected to last four weeks.
Tunnel-related construction drew the public’s attention after human bones were unearthed near Queen and Elgin streets on Sept. 19. The remains are believed to have come from a historic gravesite.