Answers on light rail construction and potential RTG penalty

By OttawaMatters Staff

Ottawa City Councillors now have an update on the construction of the Confederation Line and an explanation of why the builder is not paying a large cash sum for the project's rescheduled completion date. 

The city's Head of Transportation Services John Manconi began a presentation at City Hall Tuesday morning with a photo tour of the line, showing many stations that are still in the “fit-and-finish” stage. 

He said many councillors have asked why the Rideau Transit Group has not paid the city $1-million for bumping the handover date from May 24 to November 2.

Manconi's answer was simply that the city had reservations about whether RTG would meet the original deadline, so it asked for a new date.

“The $1-million in liquidated damages is going to be applied if November 2 [deadline] is missed by RTG,” he explained. 

He added that it is not a penalty — that would not be allowed by law. Rather, it is the estimated cost to the city if it suddenly has to scramble because a deadline is missed on short notice. 

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