Full O-Train service resumes following infrastructure repairs near Lees Station
Full service resumed on the Confederation Line Saturday morning after crews completed repairs to the Overhead Catenary System near Lees Station.
Rideau Transit Maintenance crews worked overnight to repair the broken arm that supports the wire in the Overhead Catenary System, which caused a train to stop near Lees Station just after 5 p.m. Friday and partially disrupted service through the evening.
There was no O-Train service line between St. Laurent and Rideau stations for approximately one hour on Friday following a "technical issue" with the system. Just after 6 p.m., OC Transpo said the O-Train was only running on the eastbound track between uOttawa and Hurdman stations.
The "technical issue" was later identified as a broken arm that supports the Overhead Catenary System near Lees Station.
"A parafil – the arm that supports the wire in the Overhead Catenary System – broke near Lees Station," Transit Services general manager Renee Amilcar said in a memo to Council.
"Trains were able to come to a safe stop at the station to allow customers to disembark. Customers on one train near Lees stations were able to safely exit the train and make their way to the platform."
A transit rider shared a video from an O-Train vehicle on Twitter, with an announcement saying "we've got something at Lees Station that's on the track that needs to come out. I don't know how long it's going to take."
CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy reported a train was stopped on the westbound track just outside of Lees Station Friday evening, and was sitting in the dark.
Amilcar said Rideau Transit Maintenance would repair the parafil overnight, when Line 1 is out of service, to "avoid further customer impacts."
Amilcar told council the "repeated problems with the parafils is of utmost concern", and OC Transpo is looking at alternatives.
"The parafils have undergone inspections and added protection to address previous failure occurrences," Amilcar said.
"We are actively seeking alternatives to this product for Line 1. The Stage 2 extensions of the O-Train are designed with a different OCS support configuration that does not include parafils."
OC Transpo reported Saturday morning the repairs to the infrastructure were completed, and all platforms at all stations are open.
The broken parafil at Lees Station comes four weeks after the Confederation Line was shut down in the same area for six days following a freezing rain storm.
The O-Train was out of service from Jan. 4 to 10 after two trains stopped during a freezing rain shower, and the Overhead Catenary System was damaged.
On Thursday, the Transit Commission was told a "unique combination of factors" led to two trains on the Confederation Line getting stuck between Lees and Hurdman stations, including a warmer-than-usual start to January, high levels of humidity and freezing rain.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.