Stage 2 Update (Transit Committee) - 11 September, 2025

At Transit Committee, staff presented a Stage 2 update to council. This was a truncated version, due to time constraints, so this article will mostly be a photo dump, providing photos for those who do not wish to trudge through the meeting. Timestamp at 4:49:00. 

The relevant document is this report on Stage 2 progress. Meeting video here. 

Stage 2 South

There remains minor work on Stage 2 South. This includes the pathways and landscaping. With the cab monitoring systems, staff have installed new software and are monitoring the system for performance; for the passenger information systems, updates have been installed, and staff say that only "minor" problems remain. Work on the switches continues. The final contractual steps are underway, and work should be completed by December. Finally, the bearing monitoring system has been installed. Calibration work will begin soon, and should be complete in early Q4. 

Stage 2 West

Work on this extension is focused on the catenary system. Staff said that OCS (overhead catenary system) installation was in progress between Algonquin and Lincoln Fields, though by eyesight, it seems mostly complete, maybe with just some finishing work left. OCS installation is complete west of Lincoln Fields to Moodie. Trains have been tested as far east as Pinecrest Station. 

In addition, cable pulling and tunnel ventilation systems are being installed. 

The Kichi Zībī Mīkan is still in a two-lane configuration [note: this means buses often see delays between Dominion and Lincoln Fields stations.] The goal remains to return to four lanes by the end of the year. Some work will continue into next year, and the Transitway will remain until substantial completion of Stage 2. 

Richmond Road is being revitalized by tearing it all up and rebuilding it again. Utility work is expected to be completed this year, and then work on the ultimate configuration will begin. 

On Stage 2 West, four stations had faregates installed, with a fifth to be complete by time this article is posted. The bus loop is also in progress, though when I passed through about a month ago, it had not yet been paved. 

At Algonquin/Baseline Station, work on the bridge to Algonquin College continues. Parts of the future bus loop - which seems to keep moving away from Baseline Road - are also visible in the shot. The park and ride is expected to be complete in Fall. 

The work schedule is shown below. At this point, completion is still expected in early 2027. There is no change from the June update. 

Stage 2 East

Work on this project is currently going "very well." Construction is focused on operating training, grounding manholes, paving and flatworks, and finishings; trains are running along the entire alignment. Landscaping and pathways are also nearly complete. According to staff, major road disruptions are mostly over. 

Testing of the train communications system is underway, and staff are working on deficiency closeout. There has also been "significant progress" on system integration. 

With regards to stations, work has shifted to obtaining occupancy permits from building code and Fire Services. 

A controversial roundabout at Jeanne d'Arc is complete and in use. 

Paving work at the Trim Park and Ride and roundabout is complete. 

Compared to the June update, handover to the City has been pushed to Q4 2025. While it is not stated, a 2026 opening looks increasingly likely - last minute delays such as those on Stage 2 South are often what sinks project timelines. 

27/38 of the Stage 2 trains have been delivered to the city. Of the remaining eleven, one is in final inspection, three in testing, four in production, and three have not been built yet. 

Looking at the path to service, testing and commissioning work is underway. Systems migration has passed four of five gates, with the last set to pass this month; then, OC Transpo will conduct pre-trial and trial running, obtain approvals, and open the system. 

Notably, what sunk Line 2 was a lack of operators and approvals from Transport Canada. The former is a problem with Line 1 also, while the latter is not a concern this time around. 

Performance testing was completed over the weekend of 13-14 September; by the time of writing, it is long in the past. The goal, which I am told was successful, was to show that the system could achieve high service levels as a whole. Up to 23 trains were tested between Tunney's Pasture and Trim; speed restrictions were suspended as a test [note: I am told they are not strictly necessary for safety, but no one at the city is willing to take the liability to remove them.] 

Funds and Figures

As of the end of July, Stage 1 contingency funds continue to be slowly drawn down. About $11 million remains in that pile. Meanwhile, about $15 million in contingency remains, while $35 million in costs to the City have not been committed. Actual expenditures increased by about $80 million. 

The April comparison is posted below.