![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976186.1721847997!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Ottawa's 3 km LRT tunnel in west-end near completion
The new O-Train Parkway Tunnel is now 85 per cent complete, as construction continues on the western extension of the Confederation Line from Tunney's Pasture to Moodie Drive.
"There are sections of the tunnel that are complete, sections where it's not complete, so we'll see it in progress, and sections where track work has just started," Jocelyne Daigle, construction manager of the rail construction project, told reporters on Friday.
The city took reporters on a tour of the cut-and-cover tunnel that runs three kilometres between Dominion Station and Lincoln Fields Station. The tunnel will travel underneath the Kichi Zìbì Mìkan and Byron Linear Park.
OC Transpo says work continues on the tunnel, noting construction crews and equipment will be working overnight in the Parkway/Byron Tunnel.
“Cut-and-cover tunnel structures (concrete tunnel floor, walls, and roof) along Kichi Zìbì Mìkan Parkway will be completed this year, along with tunnel backfill operations,” the transit service says on its website.
Construction on the western extension of LRT is delayed at least 17 months and won't be completed until late 2026. The line will run west from Tunney's Pasture to Algonquin College and Bayshore Mall/Moodie Drive.
"Structure work should be done in the Parkway Tunnel by summer of this year. Next step is the track works, which we are starting now. Track works we should be completing in the spring of next year," Daigle said.
"(The) next big milestone for us is the system work; so the OCS works, the catenary works – those should be done by the end of 2025. We are hoping into 2026 to be able to start our train testing."
The work may include excavation, hauling, installation-of-form work, concrete pouring, utility installation, fuelling, equipment maintenance and servicing and site housekeeping. OC Transpo notes that pile drilling, rock breaking and vacuum truck excavation are not permitted at night; however, a noise by-law exemption has been obtained to complete the project.
Night work is expected Monday to Saturday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Sundays and statutory holidays. Work will occur, as required, through June 2024.
While the construction is expected to be complete this year, the City of Ottawa is looking at seeing riders on the train in 2027.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Leah Larocque
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.