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    1. Rail
    2. Infrastructure

    Ottawa's Stage 2 LRT receives billion-dollar provincial backing

    March 25, 2019
    Province of Ontario will fund up to US$900 million for the project, which includes extending three light-rail lines.
    City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    Ontario Fundingcomit Stage2 Lrt Cityof Ottawa

    The provincial government of Ontario, Canada has committed up to C$1.208 billion (US$900 million) in funding to Ottawa's Stage 2 Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. On March 6, the Ottawa City Council approved the Stage 2 LRT project, which is an ambitious plan to expand the O-Train network in order to bring 77 percent of the city’s population within five kilometers (3.1 miles) of rail.  

    "Building a quality transit system is a big step forward in making sure Ottawa is open for business and open for jobs," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. "The people of this great city deserve a world-class transportation system that gets both them and the economy moving. This investment puts people first."  

    The network will see 44 kilometers (27.3 miles) of rail and 24 new stations added to the south, east and west. The expansions will be completed in phases with the Trillium Line south extension scheduled for completion in 2022, and the Confederation Line east and west extensions are scheduled for completion in 2024 and 2025.

    "I am very appreciative that the government of Ontario is investing with us to make Stage 2 LRT a reality for the residents of Ottawa," said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. "Stage 2 will extend our LRT network to communities farther east, west and south. It will bring 77 percent of Ottawa residents within five kilometres of fast, efficient, clean and reliable rail service."

    Stage 2 is funded by the Government of Canada, the province of Ontario and the city of Ottawa. The total project cost is C$4.6 billion (US$3.45 billion).

    "The Ontario government is a strong supporter of public transit," said Jeff Yurek, Ontario Minister of Transportation. "The Ottawa Stage 2 LRT construction project will transform the way residents and commuters travel within the City of Ottawa. The new LRT will shorten commute times, and help people get to work, school or appointments quickly and conveniently — and, just as importantly, help people get back home to their families at the end of the day. It will also help Ontario's economy by creating more jobs in the construction industry."

    About the Author

    Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

    Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

    Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

    She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

    She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.

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