LRT builder says it shouldn’t be penalized for costs of delay caused by sinkhole

By Hilary Laffrenier

The Rideau Transit Group — the company responsible for LRT construction in Ottawa — says it should not have to take responsibility for the costs associated with a massive sinkhole incident from June 2016.

The RTG provided documentation at a March 6 meeting of the city’s finance and economic development committee, stating the LRT delay was not the company’s fault and that it should not have to compensate the City of Ottawa financially.

According to Mayor Jim Watson, the sinkhole next to the Rideau Centre is believed to have contributed to a six-month delay, pushing the RTG handover date from May 24 to Nov. 2. It is estimated the delay could cost the city up to $10 million, in part because bus routes to be discontinued once the LRT is completed will have to continue running until the rail service is operational.

According to a 2017 city-commissioned report, engineering consultation company McMillen Jacobs Assistance stated: “The loss of ground likely occurred very rapidly because the ground had been previously disturbed and loosened” by a pipe installation and excavation in the LRT tunnel.

The report, however, did not point any fingers towards the city nor RTG.

The Rideau Transit Group — the company responsible for LRT construction in Ottawa — says it should not have to take responsibility for the costs associated with a massive sinkhole incident from June 2016.

The RTG provided documentation at a March 6 meeting of the city’s finance and economic development committee, stating the LRT delay was not the company’s fault and that it should not have to compensate the City of Ottawa financially.

According to Mayor Jim Watson, the sinkhole next to the Rideau Centre is believed to have contributed to a six-month delay, pushing the RTG handover date from May 24 to Nov. 2. It is estimated the delay could cost the city up to $10 million, in part because bus routes to be discontinued once the LRT is completed will have to continue running until the rail service is operational.

According to a 2017 city-commissioned report, engineering consultation company McMillen Jacobs Assistance stated: “The loss of ground likely occurred very rapidly because the ground had been previously disturbed and loosened” by a pipe installation and excavation in the LRT tunnel.

The report, however, did not point any fingers towards the city nor RTG.