Study Design

The City of Ottawa is moving forward with the preparation of a Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the expansion and improvement of its rapid transit network to accommodate existing and future demand. The intent of this expansion would be to support the objectives of the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP), and existing land uses and future development established in the City’s Official Plan (OP). The proposed Western Light Rail Transit Corridor (WLRTC) project is a primary component of the City’s overall plan for transportation service and infrastructure improvements required to support future growth.

This study will be conducted in two major phases: a Project Planning Phase and a Project Environmental Assessment Phase. The Planning Phase will rely and build upon previous planning work to determine a preferred route for an LRT facility between downtown Ottawa and Baseline Station that will maximize ridership and support the OP and TMP transit mode split and development targets in a cost-effective manner.

The Project Environmental Assessment (EA) Phase of the study will consist of a co-ordinated EA that meets the requirements of the new “Transit Project Assessment Process” (Ontario Regulation 231/98) under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA) and the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). This EA will document the potential effects of the project on the environment, including any mitigation necessary to offset negative impacts.

The recommended TMP rapid transit network was approved by City Council in November 2008 and forms the basis for the need, justification and preferred solution for the proposed WLRTC project. However, as part of the approval for the scope of work for the WLRTC Planning and Environmental Assessment Study, Council directed that alternative corridors be further reviewed as part of the WLRTC Planning and Environmental Assessment Study to determine the most appropriate corridor for rapid transit between downtown Ottawa and Baseline Station.

Project Study Area

The study area for the WLRTC Project is generally from Bayview Transitway Station in the east to Baseline Transitway Station in the west/southwest. The study area highlights consideration of:

  • The role of Tunney’s Pasture Station as either a temporary or permanent terminus for LRT;
  • The potential role and function of Bayview Station as a transfer station between LRT, BRT and interprovincial rapid transit services;
  • The role and function of Lincoln Fields station as a transfer station between BRT and LRT;
  • The ability to accommodate BRT and LRT services in a single rapid transit corridor between Lincoln Fields and Baseline Stations; and
  • The long-term future of the Ottawa River Parkway, Richmond/Byron, Carling Avenue and other potential rapid transit corridors between Bayview and Baseline Stations.

Study Goals

The key goals for this study are to:

  • Undertake a review of the transit ridership forecasts and network assumptions contained in the 2008 TMP update to determine the appropriate rapid transit service for the study area;
  • Complete a planning study to determine the preferred alignment for an LRT facility that will support the urban development and land use objectives identified in the OP and Community Design Plans, and the TMP mode split targets, as well as relevant provincial, NCC and federal plans, strategies and policies;
  • Coordinate federal and provincial EA requirements and document the project’s impacts on the environment, including any mitigation necessary to offset any negative impacts, and;
  • Reach and proactively consult all stakeholders and the public during the planning and environmental assessment phases so they can effectively contribute to the decision-making process.

Consultation Groups

There will be three Consultation Groups involving community, business, and government agencies. These Consultation Groups will meet seven times and there will be a meeting in advance of each Public Open House. Consultation Groups will provide input, opinions and interactive dialogue with the Study Team. They will assist the City in advancing the study, but will not be the sole source for public and other stakeholder input.

Agency Consultation Group

  • An Agency Consultation Group (ACG) will be formed to address the full range of technical issues and to comment on all of the special studies required to fully assess the various alternatives and to ensure that the City is following the correct procedures, legislation and addressing appropriate policies. ACG members will include experts in their related fields from government agencies and approval bodies

Public Consultation Group

  • A Public Consultation Group (PCG) will be formed to enable community and special interest groups to provide direct input to the study and comment on both local and City wide issues and concerns. Information reports will be shared with the PCG to facilitate understanding and to enable the PCG to provide meaningful feedback.

Business Consultation Group

  • There are many business, commercial and institutional interests within or adjacent to the study area that may be affected by this undertaking. Accordingly, a BCG will be established to enable these groups to provide input to the study, and comment on issues of concern.

General Public

  • Every person or organization that has an interest in the Study will be given opportunities to learn about and participate in the study process through various means including Open Houses and through the use of the City’s project website.

Timeline

ACTIVITY

TIME FRAME

Need and Justification

March 2010-October 2010

Identify Alternative Corridors

June 2010- April 2011

Identify Design Alternatives for Preferred Corridor

March 2011-August 2011

Prepare Recommended Plan

June 2011-November 2011

Environmental Project Reporting

July 2011-May 2012

The full Study Design and Schedule Document is available upon request from the Project Manager.

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