Stage 2 (Transit Committee): 10 September, 2026

On 10 September, Transit Committee met for its final meeting of the 2022-2026 term. This post covers the Stage 2 portion of the meeting; the catch-all of the meeting is posted separately.

Document: Stage 2 Light Rail Transit update

Stage 2 East

Timestamp at 2:51:35.

Stage 2 East is, between substantial completion and trial running, the same state it was at the June Transit Committee meeting and virtually no progress since late March when substantial completion was certified.

As part of trial running, Line 1 will operate between Tunney's Pasture and Trim at high intensity, with no riders allowed on board between Blair and Trim. Staff promised a technical briefing before trial running commences.

Despite continuing train availability issues, fleet usage is slowly ramping up, and staff aim to increase the number of trains simultaneously testing on Stage 2 East, currently with eight trains. As of the end of August, 50 trains have had bearing monitors installed, with the 100,000 km mileage limit removed on trains with monitors. This, the train control system, and traction power supply are the greatest threats to the Stage 2 East timeline, according to staff.

Staff predict that pre-trial running will begin in early October. Currently, the system runs 15 trains between Tunney's Pasture and Blair, and 4-8 trains separately between Blair and Trim. An integrated system will run the same 23 trains continuously between Tunney's Pasture and Blair, and this is what pre-trial running will entail, smoothing out integration challenges before formal trial running begins.

Stage 2 West

Progress on Stage 2 West was set back significantly on Canada Day, when rain poured over Nepean with significant damage to Stage 2 West works.

Damage was most severe in the Richmond Road tunnel and near Moodie Station/Corkstown LMSF.

Staff are undertaking a review of flood resiliency, with an eye towards modifying the requirements if necessary. Meanwhile, all equipment in affected areas will need to be inspected, and much of it will have to be rebuilt. Staff did not dismiss the possibility of a staged opening to Algonquin first, saying "everything is on the table." However, with Corkstown LMSF cut off, that may pose challenges for fleet storage.

It appears that this was a freak weather event. The contract designates that the system be able to handle a 100-year rainfall event plus 20%, but the Canada Day rain exceeded that significantly.

In more normal news, staff also presented photos of progress along the extension, though not for Stage 2 East. With the exception of flood damage, construction work is largely complete and focus has shifted to testing and commissioning, including the first train west of Tunney's Pasture. More elevator and escalator certifications are expected this fall, while fire and building code permits may not be granted until 2027.

At Westboro station, work is ongoing on landscaping and mechanical/electrical testing. The foundation of the station art piece is also undergoing installation. Staff described Kichi Zibi as the "most advanced" station (cf. Bayshore, Iris, and Algonquin being described as such in the last few updates) with similar work ongoing.

Both Sherbourne and New Orchard stations were affected by the Canada Day flood, with assessment still underway as of the meeting. Staff cited water accumulation in the elevator shafts as needing more assessment towards its potential damage. Otherwise, testing and commissioning are the theme of the day at these stations as well.

Lincoln Fields station is undergoing the same testing and commissioning. The concrete for the bus platforms and the bus loop are also being poured, and landscaping is "progressing well."

At Iris station, building code permit demonstrations are ongoing. The station plaza and landscaping are complete, and staff are working on deficiency closeout. At Algonquin, work is progressing on the bus loop and associated active transportation infrastructure; plaza landscaping has been completed.

At the hilariously overbuilt Queensview station, trench slope adjustment is complete and plaza works (in the parking lot of a Leon's) are underway, as are mechanical and electrical works. At Pinecrest station, landscaping is "nearing completion" and building permit demonstrations are underway.

Bayshore station is the same old - testing, commissioning, and landscaping work. Finally, at Moodie, preparations are ongoing for building code permit demonstrations. The bus loop is complete, as is the plaza; faregate and ticket machine installation is still progressing.

Despite the flood, Stage 2 West has achieved some milestones since June. These include full energization of the OCS (the wires), train movements from Corkstown to Bayshore and from Tunney's Pasture to Algonquin (making Lincoln Fields-Bayshore a "missing link"), and near-completion of the five bus loops on the extension.

In Q1-Q2 of next year, staff expect to obtain occupancy permits for bus operator buildings and the Corkstown LMSF, certifications for elevators and escalators, commission faregates and ticket machines, install artwork, and increase Line 1 integration work at Tunney's Pasture.

Miscellaneous

Lines 2/4 have not yet reached final completion. Among the outstanding work includes a bearing condition monitoring system, no doubt inserted after the spalling crisis earlier this year on Line 1; landscaping (Steve Desroches noted dead trees at Limebank station); and wayfinding, including a new O-train sign at Mooney's Bay and second entrance at Walkley, among other minor items.

There remains significant work remaining on both Byron and Richmond, including sewers, watermains, traffic signals, and active transportation infrastructure east of Woodroffe. Woodroffe itself has reopened between Richmond and Kichi Zibi Mikan, but closed south of Richmond. This closure is expected to last until the end of the year.

Final work remains to be completed at Holly Acres, Pinecrest/Greenbank, and Moodie. These include pathways, roadway improvements, and landscaping. These are anticipated by the end of the year. Repaving of the 174 is scheduled for next year; meanwhile, the eastbound on-ramp at Place d'Orleans will be closed for up to a month for watermain replacement.