TransitNext has reached substantial completion on the O-Train South Extension, Lines 2 and 4, and the City is completing final certification and regulatory reviews before the line will be open for operation.
In a memo, OC Transpo said TransitNext has issued the notice of substantial completion, which means has met the standards of its contract with the City. The City is now undergoing independent review and seeking certifications, including a Certificate of Fitness from Transport Canada, before the system is fully turned over to the City.
Construction of the O-Train South Extension has shut down the original line (known as the Trillium Line) since 2020. The extended version, which would connect Little Italy, Carleton University, the Airport, Findlay Creek and Riverside South with the main east-west light-rail line, was supposed to open in 2022, but has been delayed for now over two years.
Renée Amilcar, general manager of Transit Services, wrote in the memo that the City will be ensuring the standards in the agreement with TransitNext have been met before issuing a Substantial Completion Certificate.
If the project passes and can be certified accordingly, the system will be fully turned over to the City of Ottawa and OC Transpo and begin operation.
The announcement comes as the O-Train and LRT systems are making preparations for winter. In a memo about winter readiness, OC Transpo said it has been communicating with the contracted developer, TransitNext, clearing and removing snow, and conducting pre-winter checks on vehicles and heaters. The City is also acquiring winter maintenance vehicles like snow blowers and de-icers for the rail.
