STO prefers Sparks Street tunnel option for connecting new tramway to O-Train

The Société de Transport de l'Outaouais (STO) prefers the tunnel under Sparks Street for connecting the is new tram project to downtown Ottawa. 

According to a recent comparative analysis of the different scenarios, which also includes an above-ground option on Wellington Street, the STO determined that the tunnel under Sparks Street best met the needs identified and detailed in the complementary study.

“The study looked at things like increase commuters, reducing GHG admissions, comfort and accessibility and things like how the surroundings of the tramway is being planned out,” says Myriam Nadeau, president of the STO board of directors.  “The STO is the body that's responsible for planning out the public transportation on the city territory, our responsibility and expertise is to assess the needs and identify best option to address the needs.”

Nadeau says it is still possible, if the tunnel option proves to be unfeasible due to things like cost or technical issues, that the STO could move forward with the tram integration at-grade on Wellington Street, downtown.

“The tunnel option comes out to be the one with the most advantages, but that being said, the Wellington option is still one that is viable and still technically feasible, so that's why we're going to continue studying both options moving forward,” Nadeau says.

Now that the route, technology and costs are known, she says they will now be proceeding with conducting detailed analysis for the pre-project phases, including the preliminary design of the project, the environmental assessment, the calls for proposals and certain preparatory technical service elements for both options. 

Further details and public consultations on these two options will be provided in the pre-project phase, which starts in June.