LRT breakdown closes part line for for much of Wednesday

Good morning!

Well, believe it or not, winter isn’t quite done with us just yet. In February, snow? Believe it. 

Fortunately, while it was predicted the snow would arrive at about rush hour, it didn’t show up until much later in the evening.

Today we’ve got some bad, but at this point pretty predictable, news. The LRT had some issues this week, if you’d believe it. They seem to have sorted them out, and full repairs are happening this weekend, but oof. Classic LRT, right?

A bit of housekeeping: Because of the Family Day holiday on Monday, there will be no newsletter. We’ll return to normal publishing on Wednesday. Have fun making snow angels out there!

Let’s get to it.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

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WEATHER

Friday: -3 🌡️ -12 | ❄️

Saturday: -5 🌡️ -16 | ❄️

Sunday: -3 🌡️ -13 | ❄️

Monday: -6 🌡️ -13 | ☀️

TRANSIT

LRT overhead wire breaks…again

What happened: Two separately stalled trains ground LRT service to a halt Wednesday as the city’s marquee transit service experienced yet another serious malfunction. One train stopped because of an electrical issue, then once service was operating only on one track, a second stalled because of a mechanical failure, blocking service between uOttawa and Hurdman stations, according to a memo from the city.

The first problem: The first train stopped on the tracks just before 10 am because of what appeared to be a problem with its pantograph, the electrical connection between the train and overhead wires. Several dozen riders on the train, which stalled between two stations, had to wait on board while maintenance crews made sure it was safe to exit.

• “Preliminary indications are that the power loss may have been due to a mechanical fault with the pantograph which subsequently caused minor damage to the overhead catenary wire,” transit general manager Renée Amilcar said in the memo.

There were about 50 riders who were forced to wait to exit the damaged train, CBC reported. With the one train stopped, the LRT moved to running on only one track in the affected area. This was all well and good until…

The second problem: Within an hour, a second train had a mechanical failure that caused it to stall on the single set of tracks still in service. This blocked the line forcing replacement bus service to go into effect along the section of track from uOttawa to Hurdman. It took until 12:30 pm to remove the immobilized train.

Repairs: Crews made an interim fix to the overhead wire to restart the trains. This weekend, they’re expected to make full repairs during a normal maintenance period.

Recent troubles: Just last weekend, train service in the east end was interrupted because of another overhead wire issue. And last year, freezing rain and stalled trains caused severe damage to the power system.

• “At this time, it is not believed that this incident is related to current weather conditions or the issue that affected the OCS over the weekend,” Amilar wrote.

The cause: The city said OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance are investigating what caused the separate faults. Amilcar said OC Transpo will have a report for the next transit commission, set for mid-March.

Another problem: The elevator at Lincoln Fields station is out for several days because of a maintenance issue, CTV reported. Riders who need to ride the 97 Bayshore are being directed to the local platform or Carling Avenue to get the bus.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🏗️ 194%: The percentage new housing starts rose by in January compared to the same month last year. There were 209 new homes started last month, compared to 71 in January 2023. [CMHC]

🚨 27: The counts of theft under $5,000 a man is facing, along with weapons and other other charges, in connection with 25 separate thefts. [CityNews]

THE AGENDA

🚨 A non-profit that provides furnishings and other household items was ransacked and numerous items were stolen, including TVs and bedsheets. House to Home is appealing for help to replace the items. [CTV]

🩺 A family doctor in Carp is leaving his job at a clinic to work at a hospital. The doctor, who has organized an informal union of primary physicians, said he’s burnt out on family medicine. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚒 The emergency preparedness committee approved a plan to reclassify volunteer firefighters as casual employees. The plan will go to the full city council in the coming weeks. [Ottawa Citizen]

🚗 Do you have a blue Ontario licence plate? The defective plates (they can’t be read in the dark) won’t be recalled by the province, the government is just going to wait for natural attrition of the plates to get them off the road. [The Canadian Press]

🛣️ Five months after its renaming to Kichi Zibi Mikan, the signs for the “Sir John A Macdonald Parkway” are finally being taken down. [Ottawa Citizen]

⚖️ Canadian Major Junior Hockey leagues, including the OHL, are facing a lawsuit in the US that alleges the leagues exploit their players and violate US anti-trust law. The lawsuit alleges that in addition to unfair and unreasonable contracts, players are subject to abuse. [The Canadian Press]

⛪️ A church was damaged by fire in Richmond. No one was injured, but the cross on the steeple collapsed. [CTV]

🧻 The paper products company Cascades will be closing down plants in Trenton and Belleville and a plant in Connecticut. About 310 employees will lose their jobs in the three plants. The union said the company failed to invest during good economic times. [CTV]

🔨 A pavilion known as the Tiki Hut was torn down, which had a heritage designation, as part of a development on Carling Avenue. The city was aware of the demolition, and the developer has promised to rebuild the structure elsewhere on the site. [CBC]

🚶‍♂️ A retired OPP officer is walking five kilometres every day until Pink Shirt Day, Feb 28, to raise money for the Distress Centre of Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville and their anti-bullying programs. [CTV]

⌨️ Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville sent letters to several people saying their data may have been accessible to an unauthorized third party. The agency said it doesn’t believe the data was actually accessed. [CTV]

🔎  A collection of artifacts from the Ocean Ranger oil rig disaster in 1982 off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador is held by the Museum of Science and Technology. The museum has asked the families of the 84 men who died what they would like seen in a possible exhibition of the items. [CBC]

🚑 A driver whose car went into the Ottawa River in Gatineau was taken to hospital in critical condition after crashing through the ice. [Ottawa Citizen]

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

Sports

🥌 BDC Curling Bonspiel 2024, Friday 11 am: The annual networking and curling event returns. Join by yourself or as a team. Includes lunch, curling and networking. Portions of the proceeds go to the Shepherds of Good Hope. At Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave. Tickets $108.

General

🛏️ 2024 Accora Village Bed Race for Kiwanis, Saturday 10 am: Teams of four, decked out in costume, race to raise money for Kiwanis. Prizes for best costumes, most fundraising, and fastest racers. York Street, near Dalhousie. Free to attend, $300 to register.

🪐 Tinkering School - Make Your Own Ring Toss Game, Saturday 2 pm: Designed for kids aged nine to 13 years to learn how to use power tools under close supervision. Bring home what you build! At the Ottawa Tool Library, 877a Boyd Ave. Tickets $97.

🧶 Your Perfect Mittens - Knitting Workshop, Sunday 2 pm: Learn how to knit a pair of mittens for yourself or someone special, with all materials provided. At 1000 Byron Ave. Tickets $44.

☃️ Winterlude, until Feb. 19: The city’s winter festival continues. With plenty of indoor and outdoor activities all across the region. Public art, family fun, and more. Most events are free.

❄️ Pibòn (Winter) Festival - Winterlude Edition, until Feb. 19: A wide range of Indigenous activities for the winter festival. Various locations. Some events ticketed.

Market

🛍️ Ottawa Multicultural Bazaar, Saturday and Sunday: An event where you can get all your Eid shopping done. More than 70 vendors, face painting, food, and more. At Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave. Free to attend.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Former CFRA meteorologist Cindy Day was featured in an answer on an episode of Jeopardy! this week. [CTV]

• Uncover insider travel secrets with Daily Drop. Their 5-minute newsletter helps you maximize miles, find affordable fares, and stay ahead with top loyalty programs. Join 1M+ adventurers who get their daily insights - sign up for free! [Sponsored]

• Garbage pickup will be delayed a day, and libraries will be closed for Family Day. Rec centres will be open on modified schedules. [City of Ottawa

• You may have given up hope on skating on the canal again this year, but the NCC hasn’t. Their fingers are still crossed for a return this weekend. [CTV]

• Technically, you’re not allowed to pick up sticks on NCC property. This is more than a bit absurd, columnist Randy Boswell argues. [Ottawa Citizen]

• Second winter will always get ya. Especially in February. [Reddit]

• Not one to long soliquoys, Ridly Greig is letting his actions speak for themselves. [Ottawa Citizen]

• I regret to inform you that yet again, the sunsets are good. [Reddit]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

CAPITAL EATS

This week in food

🥐 Nothing beats a good croissant, but at Tartelette you’re going to find a great croissant.

🍝 (Insiders) The Fresh Pasta Challenge continues with another two local producers going head to head to narrow down who’s the best in town. 

🍷 (Insiders) A Pinot Noir can be a tough wine to pull off, but this bottle won’t break your heart.

🍷 (Insiders) If you’re planning a richer meal, there’s also this Pinot Noir you’ll want to try.

🥯 Gatineau’s first (no, really!) bagel shop delivers exquisite little rounds of dough.

🍫 Valentine’s may be over, but that doesn't mean you can’t try the fantastic chocolates of local producer Anna Stubbe.

Want to get more stories like this sent to you directly? Subscribe instantly to our food newsletter Capital Eats by clicking this link.

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to Adam, Don, Samuel, Jeannine, Bob and everyone else who knew that this week’s Ottawa Guesser was ove the end of the runway at the Ottawa Airport at Alert Road, on the way to Hylands Golf Club.

Think you can solve this week’s Ottawa Wordle? Play now.