City growing confident about LRT deadline as test results come in

We're getting a clearer picture of how construction is coming along for the Confederation Line. 

General Manager of the city's Transportation Services, John Manconi, gave up update on progress to the Financial and Economic Development Committee, Tuesday. 

“We've had very productive meetings, we've had some very good insight into some of the testing that's going on,” he said, when asked how RTG is holding up to the November 2 deadline. 

“Every month that goes by that we see incremental movement, our confidence level continues to be supported.” 

Manconi said the most recent examples of incremental movement include the ongoing construction at LRT stations, which are starting in the east end of the city, moving west to Tunney's Pasture. 

He added that crews on site of the underground Rideau Station 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

“That station is not only where the sinkhole was – or right next to it – but also the largest station of the network.” said Manconi. 

Train testing is also happening every day. 

Manconi said more and more trains are running along the tracks, and they've also begun testing the double length trains, which can hold up to 600 passengers. 

Speaking specifically about meeting the November deadline, Manconi said a plan is in place. 

“If there are signs as we approach November, we will respond accordingly,” he said, adding that there is no need to worry about rushed work on RTG's part to meet that deadline.

“If they build systems that barely make it through and they have poor performance, they lose millions of dollars through their concession. They don't want to be doing that.” 

If construction stays on track, RTG will hand rail over to the city on November 2, and transit riders are expected to be able to start using the system later that month.