🏆A year in review of the O-Train Extension project

2025 was a landmark year in Ottawa’s transit history—it was the year the first O-Train extension officially opened its doors to the public.

While previous years focused on building the foundation, 2025 was defined by delivery, rigorous testing, and city-wide transformation. 

Read below as The Next Stop Blog takes you through key milestones achieved for the O-Train Extension project in 2025.

Lines 2 & 4 South Extension

A key highlight of 2025 was the official launch of O-Train Lines 2 and 4, which began weekday service on January 6. This milestone was the first major step in the City's broader plan to triple the length of its rail system. 

The O-Train South Extension transitioned from a major construction project into a fully operational part of Ottawa’s transit network and the first extension of the Stage 2 project to welcome passengers.

Enhanced community connectivity features that opened for the launch of Lines 2 & 4 included:

• Rideau River Pedestrian Bridge providing a vital link between Carleton University and Vincent Massey Park.
• Gladstone Avenue crosswalk located in front of Corso Italia Station, designed to improve passenger access and safety for those using nearby multi-use pathways.
• Modern Transit Hubs: South end residents have access to new modern transit facilities, including Bowesville and Leitrim stations, which feature integrated bus loops, Park & Ride lots, and real-time transit information screens.
• Line 4 directly connects Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to South Keys, creating a dedicated airport rail link. With this launch, Ottawa became the third Canadian city with a rail connection to its airport, following Vancouver (Canada Line) and Toronto (UP Express).

Line 1 East Extension: Final Construction Phases

In the east, 2025 was a year of preparation as the project transitioned into its final construction phases. Residents along the Highway 174 corridor saw the system move from construction to a fully powered railway.

• Testing and Commissioning: Train testing and operator training has been happening across the entire line from Blair Station to Trim Station throughout the year. This rigorous process ensures that every technological component—from the tracks to the power systems—meets safety and design specifications before the line opens for passengers. 
• Station Milestones: By late 2025, all five east stations—Montréal, Jeanne d’Arc, Convent Glen, Place d’Orléans, and Trim—were in the final stages of commissioning and finishing work. This included the installation of interior flooring, wall panels, and ceilings.
• Place d’Orléans Station: A key bus-to-rail transfer hub with pedestrian bridges connecting the station to the existing Park & Ride lot and Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre for improved accessibility and convenience. 
• Enhanced Connectivity: Crews also finished a new 2.7-kilometre multi-use pathway between Blair Road and the Sir George-Étienne Parkway, offering better options for cyclists and pedestrians. 
• Trim Station Park & Ride lot: A major achievement was the completion of the Trim Station Park & Ride lot. This facility is a vital transit hub designed to accommodate over 1,000 cars, which will allow east-end residents to park and easily connect to the O-Train network once the east extension opens.  

Lines 1 & 3 West Extension: Construction and Station Progress

The O-Train West Extension saw significant progress in 2025, focusing on guideway work and station completion.

• First Test Train Rolls Out: A major milestone was reached on June 17, when the first test train was able to move under its own power on the O-Train West Extension. The train operated on a short section of track at the new Corkstown Yard Light Maintenance & Storage Facility (LMSF).
• Precision Testing: During this first run, the train moved at a steady 15 kilometres per hour while staff monitored the overhead wires and performed visual inspections of the rails and ties. This was the start of a series of tests designed to ensure that the trains and systems work as designed.
• Corkstown Yard LMSF: This new facility is critical for the O-Train expansion, as it will be used to store, clean, and maintain the expanded fleets for Lines 1 and 3.
• Richmond Road Revitalization: With the tunnel structure complete between McEwen and Cleary Avenues, work shifted to the Richmond Road Complete Streets project. This initiative is modernizing two kilometres of Richmond Road and Byron Linear Park, adding new green spaces, pathways, and amenities.

2025 saw significant work completed on underground utilities between McEwen and Cleary. By the end of 2025, Richmond Road will be in its final alignment from west of McEwen to near Ancaster Avenue. 

• Station Progress: Elevator installations were completed at Bayshore and Kichi Zìbì stations. At New Orchard Station, faregates were installed, and finishing work on the station's interior moved toward completion.
• Kichi Zìbì Mìkan: Permanent roadworks were completed, and landscaping began on the north side of the corridor, transforming the area into its final, greener state.
• Algonquin Station: Crews added final touches to the enclosed pedestrian bridge at the station, creating a safe and accessible link between the station and Algonquin’s ACCE building. This new connection will improve accessibility, make streets safer by keeping busy intersections less crowded and link to the existing bridge over Woodroffe Avenue for even better campus and community connectivity.

Looking ahead

As we reflect on 2025, it’s clear that the O‑Train Extension Project is already reshaping how people travel across Ottawa. The successful launch of the south extension has brought us significantly closer to tripling the size of the O‑Train network and strengthening the connections between our communities.

In 2026, we’re excited to share the next milestones with you—from final preparations and the opening for the O‑Train Line 1 East to continued construction progress and expanded train testing on O‑Train Line 1 West.