Ottawa Light Rail Transit - Confederation Line

The Story

The Confederation Line is a major milestone in Ottawa’s transit evolution. Delivered through a public-private partnership (P3) between The Ottawa Light Rail Transit Constructors (OLRT-C) – which includes EllisDon Capital Inc. and EllisDon Corporation – the City of Ottawa and the Rideau Transit Group. The project has redefined how people move through the city.

Stretching 12.5 kilometres from Tunney’s Pasture to Blair Station, the line features 13 stations and a 2.5-kilometre tunnel that cuts through the downtown core. This tunnel helps reduce congestion on the city streets and improves travel times for thousands of commuters. Designed to carry up to 24,000 passengers per hour in each direction, the system is fully accessible and cyclist friendly.

EllisDon played a central role in delivering the Confederation Line. The team oversaw vehicle and train control systems, coordinated all design activities, and led the construction for the project as a member of the consortium. EllisDon was solely responsible for the construction, as the general contractor, of a Maintenance and Storage Facility on Belfast Road. This facility handles vehicle assembly, inspection, cleaning, and servicing, supporting the long-term reliability of the system.

The project also included the widening of Highway 417 and the design of underground station caverns, architectural and structural elements, urban landscaping, and safety systems.

Sustainability

Sustainability was a key priority throughout the project. The administration and maintenance building at the Belfast Yard facility was awarded LEED Certified, with key features including high-efficiency boilers and lighting systems , and 90 percent of construction waste materials from the site recycled.

Completed in July 2019 and opened to the public in September, the Confederation Line is more than a transit system. It is a city-building initiative that connects communities, supports growth, and sets the foundation for a new era of public transportation.

Energy & Digital Services

During the construction phase, Energy & Digital Services’ Network team was directly involved in the commissioning of the Network and the Enterprise Service Bus. During the operational phase, our team is working with the operator and the City of Ottawa on their cybersecurity procedures.