Committee approves $60M in additional Stage 2 LRT funding

The City of Ottawa's finance and economic development committee approved an additional $60 million in funding for Stage 2 of Ottawa's light rail transit (LRT) system on June 28. 

A report earlier this month to the committee asked Ottawa city councillors to approve an additional $60 million, $35 million for the utility budget and $25 million for the contingency fund. 

For the construction utility budget, the additional funding would address new budget pressures, including costs to relocate hydro and gas mains and escalating construction costs. The additional contingency funds would ensure that there is enough in the budget to cover forecasted unavoidable costs in 2022.

The additional funds would cover changes that were not envisioned when council approved the $4.6 billion project three years ago.

A completion date for Stage 2 is still unknown.

The recommendation from the committee meeting will rise to Ottawa city council on Wednesday, July 6.