Ottawa Light Rail Expansion 

As part of an ambitious plan to develop a world-class transportation system in the Canadian capital, the City of Ottawa built a new electric light rail transit (LRT) system. The Confederation Line runs 12.5 kilometers (about 7.77 mi) and seamlessly connects one of North America’s fastest-growing cities via 13 stations – three of which are located within a 1.5-mile twin-track tunnel under downtown Ottawa. The program also marks the first conversion of an exclusive built-out bus rapid transit (BRT) system into a light rail transit network in North America.  

STV led a joint venture to provide analysis, engineering, procurement and other services for the groundbreaking design-build project. 

During the preliminary design phase, the team identified operational efficiencies that would reduce operations and maintenance costs for the city. Station platforms were shortened to shrink the project’s physical footprint, while a higher capacity signal and traction power system was designed to meet ridership demand during peak travel periods. The strategic relocation of interlockings and track crossovers allowed the client a wider window for system maintenance, which will benefit the Confederation Line over the long term.  

This dynamic effort received a National Recognition Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies.