Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Ottawa Light Rail Transit: Light rail transit from Tunney's Pasture to Blair Station, including a downtown tunnel

Ottawa (ON)

February 25, 2010 (Updated May 30, 2012) -- Transport Canada, the National Capital Commission, the Parks Canada Agency and Public Works and Government Services Canada are required to ensure that a screening is conducted pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act commencing on February 16, 2010 in relation to the project: Ottawa Light Rail Transit: Light rail transit from Tunney's Pasture to Blair Station, including a downtown tunnel.

The City of Ottawa is proposing to build a 12.5 kilometer electric light rail transit (LRT) system across the City of Ottawa from Tunney's Pasture Station (west of downtown) to Blair Station (east of downtown), via a downtown transit tunnel running from approximately Brickhill Street to south of Laurier Avenue. The 2.4 km downtown tunnel will run from the west tunnel portal, located on the west side of Commissioner Street, approximately 100m north of Albert Street to the Waller Street east tunnel portal, located south of Laurier Avenue. The remainder of the LRT alignment (west of LeBreton Station and south/east of Laurier) will follow the existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor (known as the Transitway). The current BRT will be converted to LRT technology. Thirteen stations are proposed along the route, three of which will be located within the tunnels (downtown core portion) of the project.

The project includes the conversion of existing Transitway segments and stations and the construction and operation of new at-grade, elevated and underground LRT segments and stations. The construction of the underground infrastructure will be carried out by one or more of the following methods: cut and cover, sequential excavation techniques and/or tunnel boring machine. Tunnel design options will be confirmed as part of the detailed design process, and the diameter of the tunnel may vary. Tunnel design and construction techniques will also determine whether a single large diameter tunnel carrying both tracks is built, or whether twin smaller diameter tunnels each carrying a single track is chosen as the final design. Downtown stations will be mined out from within the tunnels. The depth of the tunnels will be planned to avoid impacts to building foundations, utilities and the Rideau Canal. Surface conversions will be undertaken with standard construction techniques. Platforms will be widened with the tracks being placed in the center of the existing by-pass lanes or in side-platform configuration. Ballast and tracks will be placed on top of the existing BRT roadway. The project also includes the construction and operation of a Maintenance and Storage facility to house and maintain the new light rail vehicles, provide maintenance, signaling, communication and control facilities, as well as the construction of temporary infrastructure. Contaminated soils and water present on some lands of the proposed alignment will be managed as part of the project.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Transport Canada may provide financial assistance to the proponent; the National Capital Commission may provide federal lands; the Parks Canada Agency may provide federal lands and Public Works and Government Services Canada may provide federal lands.

Transport Canada will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Surface Infrastructure Programs
Sara Burton, Environmental Assessment Officer
330 Sparks Street
Place de Ville, Tower C
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Telephone: 613-991-3476
Fax: 613-990-9639
Email: sara.burton@tc.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 10-01-53746