Name and Location
Ottawa Light Rail Transit (OLRT) project, Canada.

Client
City of Ottawa.

Project Description
The OLRT project, also known as the Confederation Line, is a 12.5 km, 13-station conversion of the existing bus transitway into light rail transit (LRT) technology.

Its principal feature is a three-station, 2.5 km tunnel running underneath the downtown core that will move the transit system onto its own right-of-way, allowing the OLRT project to operate without delays and at consistent speeds and frequency.

Once opened, trains will run at three-minute intervals during rush hour. The project is one of the first conversions of a successful bus rapid transit system into LRT technology in North America. The alignment is the first piece of a larger LRT network that will span more than 40 km across the city.

Value
The project’s $2.1-billion budget makes it the largest project in Ottawa’s history.

Duration
Work on the Confederation Line and the widening of Highway 417 is due to start this year, with revenue service expected in spring of 2018.

Latest Developments
The Rideau Transit Group Partnership, of which SNC-Lavalin is a partner, has finalised an agreement with the City of Ottawa to design, build, finance and maintain the Confederation Line.

In the initial phase of the project, the partnership will be responsible for the construction of 12.5 km of guideway, ten above-ground stations, three underground stations and a 2.5 km tunnel beneath the downtown core.

The consortium will also widen Highway 417 between Nicholas street to the Highway 174 split, supply the LRT vehicles, build a maintenance and storage facility, and provide ongoing maintenance of the system for a 30-year period.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Rideau Transit Group Partnership (design, build, finance and maintenance).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
City of Ottawa, email lightrail@ottawa.ca.
SNC-Lavalin senior VP global corporate communications, Leslie Quinton, tel +514 390 8000 ext 7354 or
email leslie.quinton@snclavalin.com.