$570 million construction season gets underway in Ottawa

July 10, 2021

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Ontario Construction News staff writer

Construction season has arrived in Ottawa, with $570 million earmarked for infrastructure projects this year, including:

$45 million to rehabilitate roads
$15 million to replace culverts
$40 million to renew structures and bridges
$51 million buildings and parks
$9 million to renew sidewalks and multi-use pathways
$105 million for integrated road-water-sewer reconstruction projects
$14.8 million to repair and replace watermains
$22.8 million investment in renewal projects for recreation and cultural facilities

Project highlights include:

Work is underway on the Stage 2 LRT construction project and this year, construction to extend the O-Train farther east, west, and south resulting in 77 per cent of residents living within five kilometres of rail. In 2021, local employment is expected to peak at over 2,100 jobs across all three Stage 2 LRT O-Train extensions.

Planned for an official opening in 2025, the net-zero carbon building will feature shared spaces between the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada as well as unique spaces for each.
General Contractors was named as the contractor in May and construction is expected to launch this fall.

Road Renewal Work – $45 million

Montreal Road Revitalization: $64 million investment over multiple years

In 2021, crews will bury hydro lines, construct new road, cycle tracks, curbs, sidewalks, watermain, and storm and sanitary sewers. The project also includes the installation of utilities, streetlights, signalized intersections, and resurfacing of the Vanier Parkway between Montreal Road and McArthur Avenue.
Work started in 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2022.

Strandherd Drive Widening – $112 million investment over multiple years

In 2021, work will continue on the installation of new underground infrastructure including watermain, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and the roadway. Construction of the bridge over the railway will also continue. Construction of surface features will start this year, including concrete sidewalks, cycle tracks and landscaping.
Construction started in 2020 and work is expected to be completed in 2023.

Campeau Drive – $32 million investment over multiple years

Work planned in 2021 includes utility installation along the project corridor, installation of curbs, sidewalks and asphalt placement on Campeau Drive and on pathways and cycling facilities. Work will continue the Carp River Bridge including installation of railings and landscaping work.
The project started in late 2019 and is expected to be completed at the end of this year.

Intersection improvements at Colonel By Drive and Main Street
Storm sewer installation with trench reinstatement at Colonel By Drive – Hawthorne Avenue to north of Highway 417
Watermain, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer installation with trench reinstatement from Main Street – Greenfield Avenue to Echo Drive
Watermain, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer installation with full road reinstatement Echo Drive – Main Street to Concord Street North
Multi-use pathway at Lees Avenue
Relocation of gas main on Hawthorne Avenue from Main Street to Colonel By Drive

Buildings and Recreational Facilities

Ottawa City Hall – $10 million over multiple years

Work will include accessibility upgrades to the changerooms and washrooms at the Active Living Club, ongoing roof replacement work, accessibility enhancements to the parking garage and mechanical work in the administration building.

Laroche Park – $7.5 million

Construction will kick off in early June for the multi-year project expected to be completed in 2023 includes environmental remediation, removal of existing amenities such as the asphalt court, ball diamond and fencing, and will include the construction of a new community building, basketball court, shade shelter, junior playground and ultimate field.