The inquiry into the construction of Stage 1 of Ottawa’s LRT landed as the city is nearing completion of the Stage 2 extensions to the east, west and south, but its recommendations can still have an impact on that project, says a lawyer for the inquiry.
“As you know, the commissioner’s mandate was to answer questions posed in the terms of reference and also make recommendations that are hopefully of use here in the City of Ottawa and also on other large public infrastructure projects,” said Kate McGrann, one of the inquiry’s three lawyers who spoke to reporters after the report was released Wednesday morning.
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“You heard us reference this a couple of times now that the key things that underlie the recommendations are the need for, whatever project delivery model is being utitilized, that those working within the model work together, to continue to collaborate and always, always always have the public interest at the forefront as the main motivator for the steps that they are taking,” McGrann said.
“That should be useful for the work that’s being done on Phase 2 as well.”
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe told reporters Wednesday that he’s directed staff to put together an “action plan” to implement the report’s key recommendations and promised “increased monitoring and appropriate oversight” to ensure the safety and reliability of the system.
He also promised “transparency and regular reporting about construction and maintenance” to council and its Financial and Economic Development Committee.
But Sutcliffe also cautioned that problems could still occur.
“All of the recommendations in this report could be adopted and that would still not guarantee perfect performance of Stage 1 nor will it ensure Stage 2 will be implemented without any challenges given the complex nature of the project and its contract,” Sutcliffe said.
The Rideau Transit Group (RTG), the consortium responsible for designing, building and maintaining Stage 1 of the LRT, said in a statement that it looked forward to working with the new mayor, council and city staff on “addressing the issues raised throughout the process and on strengthening our collaboration with all our partners to deliver on our shared goal of providing the people of Ottawa with a safe, reliable transit system.
“We have listened, engaged in, and taken this process very seriously.”
The city is spending $4.6 billion on the second stage of the LRT system which, when complete, will extend the Confederation Line from Trim Road in the east to Moodie Drive in the west, and the Trillium Line south to Ottawa airport and Limebank Road. It’s the largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history and follows the troubled $2.1 billion first stage, which opened in 2018.
But that project too has been mired in controversy when a city audit revealed that SNC Lavalin won the $1.6-billion contract for the Trillium Line extension despite failing to meet the city’s technical standard.
Meanwhile, delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a continent wide shortages in construction material have delayed the western extension by 17 months. It’s now expected to open in late 2026.
The Trillium Line, however, is expected to begin carrying passengers next September while the eastern extension should begin service in early 2025.
