COUNCILLOR’S NOTEBOOK: Get informed on Stage 2 LRT

by | Feb 27, 2019 | Information, Notebook

COUNCILLOR’S NOTEBOOK: Get informed on Stage 2 LRT

This afternoon at City Hall council is receiving a report on Stage 2 Light Rail. The report comes in advance of next week’s council meeting on March 6 when we’ll be asked to approve the contract for expansion of the LRT as far west as Moodie, as far east as Trim, and south to the Airport and Limebank Road.

This morning I took the bus in to City Hall, and heard a lot of interest from transit riders in this project, along with a lot of questions:

  • Can the city afford this? How is it being funded?
  • Has provincial funding for the project been confirmed?
  • What is the timeline? When would this project be constructed?
  • Is there a risk in awarding the contract to SNC-Lavalin?
  • Is there enough time for consultation and public input?
  • How will this project affect other transportation projects, like bus rapid transit or road infrastructure?
  • When will light rail reach Kanata-Stittsville?
  • What are the implications if this project isn’t approved?

These are all fair questions and concerns, given the size and impact of this project.  At our special council meeting today we are getting answers from staff so that we can make an informed decision on March 6.

I encourage all residents to get informed. There is a wealth of information available from the City of Ottawa at stage2lrt.ca.  I’ve also posted additional documents below, including the reports received today by council. Please contact me with your questions and feedback at glen.gower@ottawa.ca.