NCC rejects city's plan for LRT extension on Sir John A MacDonald Parkway

The National Capital Commission is rejecting the City of Ottawa’s plan to run light rail along the Sir John A. MacDonald parkway. The NCC says the current plan would cut off access to the Ottawa River.

The NCC proposed a different route or a tunnel underneath the parkway, which would add hundreds of millions of dollars to the project.

• View the PowerPoint Presentation

The NCC’s role is ”to protect an important national regional and local asset that is the Sir John A Parkway for future generations”, said CEO Dr. Mark Kristmanson.

Mayor Jim Watson was not invited to the announcement by the NCC’s board of directors. They said he was informed by phone Friday morning.

Watson has said he wants the second phase of the LRT completed by 2020.

City Councillor Mark Taylor tweeted out this reaction: “Regret @NCC_CCN closed door decision”.

• Read Councillor Taylor's statement on the NCC SJAM Parkway LRT announcement.

City of Ottawa Western Light Rail Planning and Environment Assessment

• 

  Dr. Mark Kristmanson, CEO of the National Capital Commission, speaks at a press conference on the topic of Ottawa's western light rail transit corridor on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. (CTV Ottawa)