Rider woes after a week of an LRT shutdown

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Good morning!

These planned, annual shutdowns of the LRT are a strange thing. Nearly half of the city’s main transit stations are closed down with buses running at the height of construction season on a road network no longer built around them. And even though ridership is at a seasonal lull, things do not appear to be going great.

It doesn’t really feel like the city has quite figured out how to make the process run smoothly. I’d like to hope this is the last time such a serious closure is necessary, especially for so long. But the way the city talks about these as normal occurrences is…troubling.

So, hopefully, the shutdown hasn’t had too much of an effect on your days this week. We’ve got plenty of transit news today on how the shutdown is going, what’s for the new north-south line, and some, er, more LRT-related closures in the west end.

I’m off on a little jaunt this weekend, so the ever-steady Charlie Senack will be filling my shoes for the Monday edition. We’ll see you all again Wednesday!

Let’s get to it.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

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WEATHER

Friday: 26 🌡️ 15 | ☀️

Saturday: 27 🌡️ 13 | 🌦

Sunday: 24 🌡️ 13 | 🌦

Monday: 25 🌡️ 15 | 🌦

TRANSIT

Transit rider woes as LRT shutdown continues

What happened: With months to plan for a scheduled summer maintenance shutdown, OC Transpo has fared about as well as can be expected — which is to say, not great. Some riders on social media reported commutes stretching to two or three times their usual length.

Packed replacement buses and packed platforms are leaving plenty of people frustrated in the first days of a planned two-week closure of the western half of the LRT. The commute was so long, it would have been faster to walk down Bank from Slater to Walkley.

Several riders at Tunney’s Pasture Station told the Ottawa Citizen their transit woes. Calling it a “disaster” and a “terrible mess,” they said it had thrown their days into chaos.

Stage 2 timeline (or a lack thereof)

Testing, testing: At a briefing Thursday, OC Transpo laid out the testing plans for the O-Train’s north-south Trillium Line. But while they laid out the details of what is to come, the agency wasn’t prepared to say when the formal testing program will begin, CTV reported. Transit general manager Renée Amilcar could only say they are — maybe — at the start of a weeks-long testing process.

• “We have a scenario where we need eight to 10 weeks. I would say we are at the beginning of those eight to 10 weeks, hopefully if everything is okay, after 10 weeks we should have good news to announce. But, today I won't provide any date,” Amilcar said according to the broadcaster.

While trains have been testing for several months, the official “trial running” period hasn’t started. Once that begins, certain metrics will have to be met, according to the city.

Trial running, explained: The official testing period will run at least 28 days. The first three weeks of that will require the trains to run at full service levels, and require through that period 14 straight days where the rolling average on-time performance is 98.5%, according to the city. This part of testing needs to run at least 21 days, but can run longer if the necessary metrics aren’t met.

After that there will be a seven-day “failure scenario management” period, where they run drills on emergencies, failures, and other possible issues that could crop up during normal operations.

• You can watch the full OC Transpo technical briefing here at the city’s YouTube channel.

West end construction

LRT construction: Weekend and overnight closures on Richmond Road between McEwen and Cleary starts this weekend, lasting until 2027. Traffic will be detoured onto Byron, the city said.

Construction crews will revamp Richmond Road and the Byron Linear Park as part of LRT construction in the west end. Cycling and pedestrian infrastructure will be added, and the alignment of the road will be improved. The park will also be re-landscaped now that the tunnel through the area is approaching completion.

• The city said throughout the construction period, access to residences and businesses along Richmond will be maintained.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🏎️ 141 km/h: A driver was stopped going this fast on the 417 on Wednesday. They are facing several charges including stunt driving. [CTV]

💰 $2.5 million: A woman from Carrying Place won this much, half of a $5-million 6/49 jackpot she split with another winner. [CTV]

🍸 32%: The percentage of LCBO customers who said they’ve tried shopping somewhere else during the strike. [CTV]

CITY HALL INSIDER

Saying farewell to a span that spanned generations

What happened: The iconic Alexandra Bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau will be torn down in the coming years. Officially opened in 1901, the bridge is set to come down in the coming years and be replaced.

History lesson: Inititally opened as Interprovincial Bridge, after the rail company that built it, the name Alexandra Bridge didn’t come around until later in 1901, when it was renamed in honour of Queen Alexandra, when her son — the one-day King George V — came to town for an official visit.

Unfortunately, its time has come. More than 120 years of use, and in particular salt use, have brought the bridge to a state beyond which it can be repaired. Numerous photos provided by the federal government show corrosion, chipping, buckling and other damage. While none of the damage is catastrophic necessitating immediate closure, combined it’s just too much.

THE AGENDA

🚙 Since June, an Ottawa man named Kevin Brown had his licence suspended because his driving record had been merged with that of a man with the same name and birthdate with a poor driving record. Soon after CBC ran a story on his plight, Brown had his licence reinstated. [CBC]

🚗 The awkward and dangerous intersection of Shea and Flewellyn roads near Stittsville will get flashing lights and other safety measures. A roundabout is planned for the area in the coming years. [CBC]

🚪 After a story ran on CTV, Minto finally installed an automatic door button to an apartment building where a man using a walker had difficulty accessing his own home. The company said the months-long delay was just a “misunderstanding.” [CTV]

📺 Corus made deep cuts to its TV and radio stations in Kingston this week, laying off all its on-air radio talent in the city and an unclear number of local TV staff. The company said it was part of an, “efficiency review process” across the company, but it planned to continue operating the stations in town. [Kingston Whig-Standard]

🏙️ Ottawa, Toronto, and Hamilton are all searching to hire a chief city planner. With all three looking at once, finding a suitable candidate could be tough. [CBC]

⚖️ The City of Pembroke may face a lawsuit for refusing to sell the building occupied by The Grind community kitchen. Built into The Grind’s lease is a clause that allows the organization to buy the building for $210,000 before the lease expires, but all but two council members voted to revoke that clause. [CTV]

⚠️ Two people in Ontario have died from listeriosis, linked to contaminated plant-based milk alternatives. There have been 10 reported cases in the province, and two more elsewhere in the country. Silk and Great Value brand products were recalled by Health Canada. [CBC]

🚰 A boil water advisory was issued for parts of Alymer on Thursday. The city didn’t specify what caused the advisory. [Ville de Gatineau]

🚓 Ottawa police will focus on eight specific areas along Rideau and in the ByWard Market from their new outpost at the Rideau Centre. [CTV]

🚨 A 26-year-old man was shot and killed in Orléans near Brian Coburn Blvd. E and Tirgoria. Husain Dahis was found at the scene with gunshot wounds, but did not survive. Police believe the shooting was targeted. [CBC]

💥 Metcalfe and other roads were closed for several hours on the edge of the Glebe after a two-vehicle collision that left a car on its roof. One person was taken to hospital. [CTV]

🔍 Ottawa police have issued an arrest warrant for a second man wanted for first-degree murder in the shooting death of Adam Abdullahi Elmi earlier this month. Both suspects are believed to have left the country. [Ottawa Police]

EVENTS

What to do this weekend

🇱🇧 Ottawa Lebanese Festival, until Sunday: Celebrate Lebanese music, culture, and food. At St. Elias Cathedral, with parking with a shuttle from the Canada Post building. Free before 5 pm, $3 per person afterward.

📚 Storytime at Rideau Hall, Friday 1 pm: Bring your kids for outdoor story time on the grounds of Rideau Hall. At Rideau Hall, near the visitor centre. Free.

🎙️ Local Immigrants Comedy Tour, Friday 9 pm: Three comedians bring their tour to the capital. Featuring Matt Puzhitsky, Darren Leo, and Marwan Shaffey. At Cultures Comedy Club, 291 Dalhousie St. Tickets $17.

👗 613Flea, Saturday 10 am: Dozens of vendors selling all sorts of goods from vinyl records to clothes to food to jewelry. At the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park. Free admission.

👨‍🌾 Garden and Grow, Saturday 10 am: Planting workshops, guided garden tours, and expert gardening advice. At Horticulture Building M, Algonquin College. Tickets $20.

📖 Read Aloud & Book Signing with Rahma Rodaah, Saturday 11 am: Author Rahma Rodaah reads from her books, and will sign copies afterward. Craft events for the kids. At Café Safi, 101 Champagne Ave. Ticket prices vary.

🧺 Picnic Charity Fundraiser, Sunday 2 pm: Raising money for the Legacy of Hope Foundation, come out for a day of food, games, and entertainment. At Vincent Massey Park. Ticket prices vary.

Arts events

🎤 Kemptville Live Music Festival, until Sunday: Four days of live music with camping, food trucks, vendors, craft beer and more. Featuring the Sam Roberts Band, Burton Cummings, Dan Brody, Glass Tiger, and more. At the Kemptville Campus, 830 Prescott St., Kemptville. Ticket prices vary.

🎸 Panda Fest III, Friday to Sunday: Bands from across the region come to play the capital. At the Dominion Tavern, 33 York St. Tickets $25 per day.

CAPITAL EATS

This week in food

🏰 Nymark makes for sublime dining in the iconic Chateau Montebello. (Insiders)

🍷 Here’s a solid Sauvignon Blanc you can find at the Wine Rack. (Insiders)

🥦 Support your local grocers by considering these shopping options.

🍨 Our food editor heads back to Farinella for some icy treats.

🍳 Antonyme gives you inspired cooking and one of the region's great brunch experiences.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• If you can’t get enough of the smell of lavender, head to this farm in Moose Creek just east of the city to walk among thousands of plants. [CTV]

• A community has sprouted up in Manotick of radio-controlled car enthusiasts. [CBC]

• Do you have room in your life for two bonded cats? A family is looking to re-home a pari of felines after the passing of an elderly relative. [Reddit]

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

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to Marty, Chrisann, James, Andi, (a different!) James, who all knew this week’s Ottawa Guesser was of Russell Road near Letrim. Nice work!

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