OC Transpo adding more shelters to Hurdman, Tunney's Pasture stations
OC Transpo says it will be adding more shelters to the bus stops at Hurdman and Tunney's Pasture stations over the next six weeks.
These two LRT stations used to have temporary scaffolding up to help shield riders from the elements as they went from the Confederation Line LRT to bus stops, but the scaffolding was removed last spring.
Now, OC Transpo says commuters will notice construction while the new bus shelters are installed — nine at Hurdman and 14 at Tunney's Pasture.
"The interim on-street style shelters will be added on the bus loop platforms between the existing shelters. Customers will notice on-site signage in place to guide them around construction work," OC Transpo says.
Installation of the new shelters will begin Monday at Tunney's Pasture. Workers will be removing the tree pits at Hurdman Station, starting Monday, before the new shelters are installed. OC Transpo says the shrubs that were planted at Hurdman have already been replanted at Cyrville Station.
OC Transpo confirmed each of the new temporary shelters costs $10,000, but they can be reused.
"Once a permanent solution is constructed to improve shade and weather protection at Tunney's Pasture and Hurdman stations, the on-street shelters will be relocated elsewhere in the network to reduce throwaway costs," OC Transpo said.
Director of customer systems and planning Pat Scrimgeour told CTV News Ottawa the scaffolding was becoming costly, and the shelters were a better alternative.
"We were renting it, so it's expensive to rent. So we took that out, and what council asked us to do is have another look at what we could do to give more comfort in the years until this station (Tunney's Pasture) is reconfigured again with the further extension of the line. And so these shelters are what's going on right now," he said.
Tunney's Pasture is currently the western terminus on the Confederation Line, but it will become another stop along a much longer line when the Stage 2 western extension is complete. The current timeline for completiton is late 2026.
Transit riders say they're happy to get some more room to shelter from the elements.
"They do get full; like, when there was the snow storm a couple of days ago and I came home from school. It was so full, there was no space for me to go in," said Isabelle Mook-Jodouin. "With the bus coming by, sometimes there's slush and then it sprays you. So this, at least, gives you a barrier so you don't get splashed."
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Dave Charbonneau.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.