The Airport Link, also known as Line 4, is a diesel light rail line on the O-Train network in Ottawa, Ontario. The line provides a connection between the Trillium Line (Line 2) at South Keys station to the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport. The four-kilometre (2.5 mi) line opened on January 6, 2025.[1]
| Line 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Status | Open | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | City of Ottawa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Ottawa, Ontario | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stations | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | OC Transpo (Line 4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | Light rail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | O-Train | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rolling stock | Alstom Coradia LINT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | January 6, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 4 km (2 mi) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating speed | 50–80 km/h (31–50 mph) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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History
editInitial plans for expansions of the Trillium Line in 2013 considered an expansion to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport. However, these plans were discarded due to lack of funding and a focus on attracting ridership from the south of Ottawa.[2] In 2016, the Ontario provincial government committed $1 billion to O-Train expansion, providing half the required funding for an extension to the airport, with an additional station at the EY Centre.[3] Additional funding was acquired for the Airport Link through federal funding and the airport authority, who constructed the airport station for approximately $20 million, with $6.4 million from the federal government.[4][5]
Construction of the line began in 2019.[6] Construction of Airport station was completed in 2023.[7]
Stations
editThere are three stations on the Airport Link, with a connection to the Line 2 at South Keys station.[4][8]
| Station | Notes |
|---|---|
| South Keys | The northbound terminus; this station provides an interchange with the Trillium Line (Line 2) in a fare-paid zone and access to the Transitway nearby. |
| Uplands | Located east of Uplands Drive next to the EY Centre and will feature two platforms. It is the location of the only passing loop on the line. |
| Airport | The southbound terminus; it is located at the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport and built into the renovated and expanded terminal at the departures level. |
Rolling stock
edit
The line currently uses the Alstom Coradia LINT diesel light rail trains. The Airport Link has 60 metre long platforms which are shorter than the 80 metre platforms on the Trillium Line. The difference in length is due to the single-car trains instead of two cars, because of the line's lower projected ridership.
References
edit- ^ "Trillium Line to reopen in stages starting Monday, Jan. 6". CBC News. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ "Airport not a stop on proposed O-Train extension". CBC News. October 9, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ Porter, Kate (June 3, 2016). "$1B from province to extend LRT to airport, Trim Road". CBC News. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
- ^ a b Porter, Kate (January 6, 2025). "The north-south O-Train reopens: 7 questions you might have as you ride". CBC News. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ "Government of Canada supporting the Ottawa International Airport with new funding". Government of Canada. Transport Canada. June 21, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ Watson, Jim (August 30, 2019). "Great progress being made on the construction of Stage 2 LRT! The caissons supporting the elevated platform are being installed at Uplands Station on the South Extension. Continuez le bon travail pour amener les bienfaits du train léger à nos communautés dans le sud d'Ottawa!pic.twitter.com/x5G6ix4pe2". @JimWatsonOttawa (in French). Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "YOW - a look back to 2023 and ahead to 2024 and beyond". International Airport Authority Ottawa. May 1, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ "O-Train South". OCTranspo. Retrieved January 9, 2025.