LRT-related tree removals to begin in October

Public notice issued by the City:

PUBLIC NOTICE

Stage 2 O-Train Light Rail Transit Project
West Extension Public Notice #002W
Tree and Vegetation Removal West of Moodie Station to Baseline and Tunney’s Pasture Station

Fall 2019

This notice is to advise that, as part of the Stage 2 O-Train Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, crews and equipment will begin area clearing as part of site preparation work for guideway and station construction. This includes site mobilization, tree and vegetation removal and area clearing in October and November 2019.

Several areas along the West Extension corridor area are identified as priority areas where trees and vegetation are anticipated to be removed first. This includes the Iris Station area to Baseline Station, Kitchissippi Look-out/Westboro Beach, the Light Maintenance and Storage Facility (LMSF) area, and the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway area between Dominion Avenue and Cleary Avenue. Clearing activity is also required in Byron Linear Park and the Lincoln Fields area this fall to avoid impacts to the bird nesting and bat roosting seasons, and for construction to remain on-schedule for overall guideway and station construction.

WHAT: Area clearing involves the mobilization of crews and heavy equipment, including tree chippers, excavators with mulching and harvester heads, and log trucks where required. Work will be performed on and off-street depending on the location and equipment required. Minimal impacts to traffic is anticipated for clearing activity.
As part of the property boundaries identified for the Project, tree and vegetation removal is intended to be limited to clearing where required for temporary and permanent work. Trees and vegetation located along property lines (such as residential and commercial fences) will also be preserved as much as possible. Property owners will be contacted should area clearing activity be identified on private property. Tree and vegetation removal are being done under the supervision of an arborist. Area restoration such as tree replacement and re-seeding greenspaces, will be completed as part of local area finishing works and includes a defined replacement ratio depending on the tree species and size.

WHEN: Crews are scheduled to begin the first week of October and are scheduled to continue through November 2019. Work will occur in stages along the corridor and the public can expect to see crews and equipment performing clearing activity at multiple locations at once.

WHY: Clearing activity is required this fall to avoid impacts to the 2020 bird nesting and bat roosting seasons, and for construction to remain on-schedule for the next phase of work including utility relocation, foundation, guideway and station construction.

WHERE: From west of Moodie Station to Tunney’s Pasture Station, including key priority areas such as Iris Station area, Kitchissippi Look-out/Westboro Beach, Richmond Road area (Byron Linear Park) and the Lincoln Fields area. For tree and vegetation removal in the Lincoln Fields area, crews are also working to minimize required removals in the apple orchard, and in other locations where trees may be in close proximity to backyards.

HOURS: Activity is scheduled during daytime construction hours between 7am and 10pm Monday to Saturday, and between 9am to 10pm on Sunday’s and holidays.

Rail Construction Program, City of Ottawa
Email: stage2@ottawa.ca Phone: 3-1-1