(Memo sent from OC Transpo staff)
The purpose of this memo is to inform the Mayor and Members of Council that the Independent Certifier has issued the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Stage 2 East Extension.
Substantial Completion is an important contractual milestone and confirms that the constructor, EWC, has delivered all new system infrastructure and that it is functional and can be safely operated and maintained. This comes after the City and the Independent Certifier conducted a detailed review of EWC’s submission.
Having achieved Substantial Completion, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) now assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the new East Extension. There will be a period of startup and familiarization for RTM, as they take over the maintenance of the new infrastructure. This familiarization period is a best practice from the preparations to successfully launch O-Train Lines 2 and 4.
As with any major construction project, there will be activities that will continue after Substantial Completion. On the East Extension, these include:
- Updates to the train control system software prior to Revenue Service
- Adjustments to the platform edge cameras to optimize their performance
- Landscaping, final paving on Highway 174 and other final works
This milestone is a significant step towards connecting east end communities to downtown and western neighbourhoods through the existing train system. Over the coming days, we will continue to work with RTM during the handover and their startup phase.
In parallel, work continues to safely restore full capacity and fleet availability on the existing Line 1 for our customers. OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Group are working to complete new containment and monitoring measures for the Cartridge Bearing Assemblies (CBAs) that would allow the full fleet to be safely returned to operations. This will also allow Trial Running to commence.
These are critically important steps, and the work will continue as we apply lessons learned to date. A technical briefing will be held to provide further information and timelines once plans are finalized. At this time, we continue to be on track to launch the East Extension in Q2 2026, as previously stated at Transit Committee. An update will be provided at the Transit Committee on March 12.
Original signed by Troy Charter
Q&A
Now that Substantial Completion has been achieved, what does this mean for Trial
Running and when can we expect it to begin?
Achieving Substantial Completion is a key contractual milestone, but it does not mean the extension is ready for passengers. Now that Substantial Completion has been achieved, there will be a familiarization period for Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) as they take over the maintenance of the new infrastructure. Trial Running will be able to proceed once RTM restores fleet numbers and capacity. We will keep Councillors updated as plans and timelines are finalized. Further information will be shared at the next Transit Committee on March 12. We remain focused on ensuring that all systems are fully verified, safe, and ready before moving to the next stage.
What does the current fleet availability mean for the start of Trial Running?
Substantial Completion is an important milestone. RTM is now immediately proceeding with familiarization and start-up activities. This work is happening now, so that when the Line 1 fleet availability improves, we can proceed to Trial Running.
Over the coming days, we will continue to work with RTM through the handover and their startup phase. In parallel, work continues on the action plan to safely restore capacity and fleet availability on O-Train Line 1. OC Transpo and RTG are working to complete new containment and monitoring measures for the Cartridge Bearing Assemblies (CBAs) that will allow for the full fleet to be safely returned to operations. This will also allow Trial Running to commence. A technical briefing will be held to provide further information and timelines once plans are finalized. An update will be provided at the Transit Committee on March 12.
With RTO increasing to 4 days a week in July, can we expect Trial Running and the opening before this date? Will we have enough vehicles in the fleet to support increased capacity?
OC Transpo’s priority is safely restoring fleet capacity and full service for our customers. The timing of Trial Running and opening is contingent on this work which is currently underway. As more federal workers return to the office more often, we want to be there for them as a reliable alternative to packed highways and long car commutes. Trial Running will begin as soon as possible, but safety remains our number one priority.
Can we expect service improvements in Line 1 vehicle availability now that Substantial Completion has been achieved?
Substantial Completion is a construction milestone for the Stage 2 project and does not affect train service on the existing Line 1. RTG’s work to allow for the safe and sustainable restoration of full service on Line 1 continues. Updates on this progress will be shared as they become available, including at Transit Committee.
Le prolongement vers l’est de l’Étape 2 de l’O-Train atteint l’achèvement substantiel
La présente note a pour but d’informer le maire et les membres du Conseil municipal que le certificateur indépendant a délivré le certificat d’achèvement substantiel du prolongement vers l’est de l’Étape 2
L’achèvement substantiel est une étape contractuelle importante qui confirme que le constructeur, EWC, a livré toutes les nouvelles infrastructures du système, que celles-ci sont fonctionnelles et qu’elles peuvent être exploitées et entretenues en toute sécurité. Cette décision fait suite à un examen détaillé de la soumission d’EWC par la Ville et le certificateur indépendant.
L’achèvement substantiel étant atteint, Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) assume désormais la responsabilité de l’entretien du nouveau prolongement est. RTM passera par une période de démarrage et de familiarisation avant de prendre en charge l’entretien de la nouvelle infrastructure. Cette période de familiarisation est une pratique exemplaire issue des préparatifs qui ont permis le lancement réussi des lignes 2 et 4 de l’O-Train.
Comme pour tout projet de construction majeur, certaines activités se poursuivront après l’achèvement substantiel. Sur le prolongement est, celles-ci comprennent :
- Mises à jour du logiciel du système de contrôle des trains avant la mise en service commerciale;
- Ajustements des caméras installées au bord des quais afin d’optimiser leur rendement;
- Aménagement paysager, revêtement final de l’autoroute 174 et autres travaux finaux.
Cette étape importante constitue un pas significatif vers la connexion des communautés de l’est de la ville au centre-ville et aux quartiers ouest grâce au réseau ferroviaire existant. Au cours des prochains jours, nous continuerons à travailler avec RTM pendant la phase de transfert et de démarrage.
Parallèlement, les travaux se poursuivent afin de rétablir en toute sécurité la pleine capacité et la disponibilité du parc sur la ligne 1 existante pour nos clients. OC Transpo et Rideau Transit Group s’efforcent de mettre en place de nouvelles mesures de confinement et de surveillance pour les ensembles de roulements cartouches (ERC) qui permettraient à l’ensemble du parc de reprendre ses activités en toute sécurité. Cela permettra également de commencer les essais de fonctionnement.
Il s’agit là d’étapes cruciales, et les travaux se poursuivront à mesure que nous mettrons en application les leçons retenues jusqu’à présent. Une séance d’information technique sera organisée pour fournir de plus amples renseignements et un calendrier une fois que les plans seront finalisés. À l’heure actuelle, nous sommes toujours en bonne voie pour lancer le prolongement est au deuxième trimestre de 2026, comme indiqué précédemment au Comité du transport en commun. Une mise à jour sera fournie au Comité du transport en commun le 12 mars.
Signé à l’origine par Troy Carter