While the O-Train’s eastern extension could possibly see completion this year, construction teams are hard at work completing the long-anticipated western expansion.
The West extension is part of the Stage 2 Light Rail expansion, which will add 16 new destinations to the previous O-Train LRT lines. The extension will see new stations added to Line 1, as well as a new Line 3, running parallel to Line 1 before diverting at Lincoln Fields and continuing west.
With the final piece of rail placed on the guideway in May, there are now 44 kilometres worth of track making up the East, West and South extensions.
Westboro Station
The first station situated west of Tunney’s Pasture is Westboro Station. The aforementioned final piece of rail was installed near the station’s platform, which is currently under construction.
The station is in place of a former Transitway hub on Scott Street. It was a very unique stop, as it featured an underground trench setup that was similar to that of an LRT station.
Inside the station, they are working on the framing of the concourse ceiling, installing drywall and waterproofing the stairwell.
Kichi Zibi Station
The next station west down the line is Kichi Zibi, which is found alongside the recently renamed Kichi Zibi Mikan parkway.
The parkway itself is currently undergoing widening work to allow for the LRT infrastructure. Additionally, the current parkway lanes will be fitted to become exclusively eastbound lanes, as a westbound roadway is currently under construction. A pedestrian underpass beneath the parkway is also currently in the works.
Roofing and ceiling installation are still ongoing, along with mechanical and electrical installations.
Sherbourne Station
Sherbourne Station is one of two located on Richmond Road, which is going through a revitalization project to allow it to be more compatible with the LRT line.
“This project replaces over three kilometres of aging utilities and rebuilds the road to include more active transportation infrastructure,” said Jacelyn Daigle, manager of the Stage 2 extension. “This work will ensure that Richmond Road and Byron Avenue provide the necessary connectivity to the stations in the area for all residents while renewing critical municipal infrastructure.”
Work on the station includes insulation and ceiling installation.
New Orchard Station
New Orchard Station is the second station found on Richmond Road.
Mechanical and electrical works are ongoing, as well as the framing of the future elevator shaft that will take riders from the fare gates to the platform.
Lincoln Fields Station
Lincoln Fields has long been one of the most important transitway stations, a connecting point West to Kanata and Stittsville and southbound to Barrhaven.
Lincoln Fields will also be a significant junction for the LRT lines, the place where Line 1 and its parallel counterpart, Line 3, will diverge. Line 1 will then head towards Baseline and Line 3 will continue west. The station will have three platforms. Construction of the topping slab for these platforms is ongoing.
The station at Lincoln Fields is one of the furthest along in the construction process. It is the first station to see fare gates fully installed in the interior. Work outside the station is currently being done to construct a new permanent bus loop.
Iris Station
Iris Station is a tricky station for construction due to its complex location.
“This station is located at the intersection of the guideway of Iris Street as well as Pinecrest Creek,” Daigle said.
Remnants of the creek can be seen beside the station, with work done to divert the creek on the other side.
Testing of the interior of the station is ongoing, with fare gates being prepared for installation.
Algonquin Station
The third higher education institution to be served directly with an on-campus LRT station will be Algonquin College, the last stop on Confederation Line 1. Carleton University and the University of Ottawa are both stops on Ottawa’s commuter rail network.
Construction at Algonquin Station is viewed as the second-most advanced in the west. Inside the station, ceiling installation and mechanical/electric work are ongoing. Workers are also completing a new park and ride as well as the pedestrian bridge, which connects the station to the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence.
Queensview Station
Queensview Station is the first hub that solely serves Line 3. Many may recognize the station, as its pedestrian bridge goes over the Queensway near the Ikea store on Iris Street.
This station is one of the closest to completion, as ceiling installation for the pedestrian bridge is ongoing. In the interior, mechanical and electrical works are continuing, along with testing and commissioning of the utilities inside the building.
Pinecrest Station
The interior of Pinecrest Station is starting to look complete, as wayfinding signage has been installed, while testing in the station is currently ongoing.
Outside the station, work is being done to complete a permanent bus loop.
Bayshore Station
Bayshore will be the last of the four major Ottawa malls to have LRT service, with the original Line 1 going to the Rideau Centre and the St. Laurent Centre, and Place d’Orléans getting a station as part of the upcoming eastward extension.
Bayshore’s LRT station has seen immense progress, with the pedestrian bridge and elevator systems nearing completion. The platform itself is also looking close to finished, as its edges are now completed. One of the next steps for this station will be the completion of a permanent bus loop that will replace the old Transitway hub.
Moodie Station
The final stop on Line 3 is Moodie Station, another stop that is clearly visible to those who drive down Hwy. 417 into the Kanata and Stittsville area. Construction on this station is coming along well, as both the exterior and interior of the station have seen plenty of progress.
“Mechanical and electrical finishing work and remaining elevator adjustments are ongoing,” Daigle said. “We’re addressing deficiencies, and we’ve also started construction on the bus loop.”
Next Steps
Full tests of the West extension are still a long way off, with the current timeline projecting that trial runs will take place by the end of 2026. However, test runs between the Corktown Yard Light Maintenance and Storage Facility and next door Moodie Station are planned to take place in the summer once the facility is complete.
The handoff of access to the project from the contractor to the city is expected near the end of 2026, which could put the extension on track for an early 2027 opening.
While there was some cautious optimism seen from councillors at a recent update session, there were also concerns about the process.
“The west end is very very affected by construction. It’s been almost nightmarish for many, especially the businesses along that route that are losing customers,” Bay Coun. Theresa Kavanagh said about Richmond Road construction.
“After many, many years, we’re still seeing major problems for the residents,” Kavanagh continued.
Still, the city is hoping to wrap up construction on the West extension by next year, with the goal of making everything fully operational by early 2027.
