Current status

Environmental assessment: approved, June 7, 2006

Project summary

The proposed undertaking is an electrically powered Light Rail Transit (LRT) service between Downtown Ottawa near the Rideau Centre and the growing southern communities of Leitrim, Riverside South and Barrhaven.

Proponent

City of Ottawa

Location

City of Ottawa

Type

Transit

Reference number

05068

Contact

Environmental Assessment and Permissions Branch

Project history

Environmental assessment: approved
Date submitted: September 9, 2005
Expiry of public comment period: October 28, 2005
Expiry of public comment period for ministry review: February 6, 2006
Decision date: June 7, 2006

Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: July 5, 2004
Expiry of public comment period: August 10, 2004
Decision date: September 15, 2004

Environmental assessment

The City of Ottawa submitted an environmental assessment (EA) on September 9, 2005 for formal review as required under the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). The EA addresses the issues of existing and future transportation demands between the communities of Barrhaven, Riverside South and downtown Ottawa in accordance with the City’s Transportation Master Plan and Official Plan.

The EA was submitted under section 6.1(2) of the Environmental Assessment Act and in accordance with the terms of reference approved by the Minister of the Environment on September 15, 2004.

The proposed undertaking is an electrically powered Light Rail Transit (LRT) service between Downtown Ottawa near the Rideau Centre and the growing southern communities of Leitrim, Riverside South and Barrhaven. A connection to the Ottawa Macdonald Cartier International Airport is also proposed. The proposed undertaking will extend 31 kilometres and be located within transit lanes on existing streets through downtown Ottawa and on exclusive rights of way between LeBreton Flats and Barrhaven Town.

The proposed undertaking also includes:

  • access to thirty-four (34) different stop/station locations
  • four new Park and Ride lots with a potential total collective capacity of over 7,000 parking spaces
  • a maintenance yard
  • vehicles and bus transit services integration

The public, applicable government agencies and potentially affected Aboriginal Peoples were invited to comment on the environmental assessment.

The ministry review of this project was completed on December 23, 2005 and the ministry concluded that the proponent had met the requirements of the Environment Assessment Act. On December 30, 2005, the Ministry of the Environment issued a notice of completion of ministry review for this environmental assessment. The public had five weeks to comment on the ministry’s review. The five-week public comment period expired on February 6, 2006, during which time comments about the proposed undertaking, the environmental assessment and the ministry review were made. Upon the expiry of this comment period, submissions were evaluated and a recommendation on whether to approve the undertaking was forwarded to the Minister. The Minister decided to approve the undertaking with the necessary concurrence of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Terms of reference

Background

The expansion of Light Rail Transit (LRT) service into downtown, to the Airport and to Riverside South was identified by Ottawa City Council as the top priority project for implementation. Other transit initiatives identified as part of the Transportation Master Plan and Rapid Transit Expansion Study will be subject to separate Environmental Assessment (EA) studies.

In addition to the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission has a federal mandate and mission to build the Capital Region as a source of pride and unity for Canadians. In that regard they have a strong interest in any project that has an impact on the image and livability of the Nation’s Capital.

The geographic limits of the EA Study Area for the development of the undertaking can be divided into four main corridors, which include:

  • a downtown section from Rideau Centre to LeBreton Flats
  • a North-South section from LeBreton Flats to south of Leitrim Road
  • a westerly spur into the Airport
  • an East-West section running from the CPR corridor south of Leitrim Road southwest to the Limebank Road area, along with a westerly extension across the Rideau River to Barrhaven Town Centre

Description of the undertaking being considered

The purpose of this undertaking encompasses two fundamental objectives. First, to respond to growth pressures by providing improved transportation in the study area. Secondly, to continue making Ottawa a liveable and economically viable city by providing a valuable tool for structuring and achieving land use, environmental, and social objectives. A complete description of the undertaking will be documented in the EA.