The Ontario government has announced an $80 million expansion of the O-Train into Riverside South.
On Thursday, Ottawa area MPPs and a handful of city councillors were on hand for the funding announcement. MPP Bob Chiarelli said his government will contribute $50 million to extend the trillium line into Riverside South with another $30 million coming from development charges on new homes built in the area.
"This will bring LRT to where people will work, live and play and it will help help the community grow in a smarter, more sustainable fashion," said Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.
The expansion will allow the Trillium Line to be extended beyond the proposed last stop at Bowesville to just west of Limebanki Road, where the population is growing quickly. Roughly 15,000 new homes or 40,000 new residents are expected to more into the region within the next ten years.
"All along the Bronson and Bank Street Corridor, this will make a difference in congestion and traffic," said MPP John Fraser. "At the end of the day what that means is that people can get home sooner to their families and that is really important."
The extension will also make it easier for OC Transpo to link Barrhaven to the O-Train by bus.
The provincial government is driving this new stop, meaning the city is not on the line financially. As such, the expansion into Riverside South hinges on the Liberals winning the upcoming June election. Mayor Jim Watson said he will be highlighting the importance of this new route to local candidates during the provincial campaign.
"On this part, the city is not contributing but we are obviously contributing on the overall line," the mayor said. "This will be one of the questions I send out to candidates on my survey, to make sure they understand how important this project is. There will be one question on overall LRT and one question on this project. I hope to have a positive answer."
Cost of expansion is higher than previously anticipated because new trains will cost more, line will be double tracked instead of single tracked like 0-train now.
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
Watson says the $30 million in developers charges is a special levy on new homes built in riverside south. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
Watson says this expansion is fully funded by province. He says he will bring this topic up with all local candidates in provincial election to highlight the importance of the o-train expansion. Ultimately, funding only 100% if liberals win in June @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
Trillium line south expansion set to open in 2021. City says this expansion "protects for future stations between limebank and bowesville" @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
Officials say trip from riverside south to downtown would be about 25 minutes. Urbandale says total population in that area should reach about 50,000 in ten years. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
7 new "flirt" vehicles will operate on the track. They're 80 meters in length, double existing length of O-trains, and can be made fully electric down the line. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
Watson says 15,000 households or 40,000 people will move into riverside south over the next ten years. He says this is why the new station is crucial. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
Mayor says this is unique because city is building rail before major developments in the are built in the area. Mayor says riverside south is growing in popularity. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
The new trillium line station will be added just west of limebank. One Station, 3.4 km of rail, at a price tag of roughly $80 M. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
.@JohnFraserOS says this will help reduce congestion for ottawa south residents, too. Will help improve OC Transpo links from Barrhaven to o-train
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
As @ctvottawa reported yesterday, $50 million from province and $30 million in development charges. 3.4 km of rail will be added to take trains past limebank road in riverside south.
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
.@Bob_Chiarelli points out this expansion of the trillium line is in addition to the more than $1 B already committed to build the LRT
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018
Ontario liberals announcing $50 million to extend trillium line further into riverside south on stage 2. @ctvottawa pic.twitter.com/3WjqrZvJdP
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) May 3, 2018