September 25, 2018 , Ottawa – The Barrhaven Business Improvement Area is excited to announce that the Environmental Assessment for Barrhaven Light Rail Transit Statement of Work has been released. This statement of work is particularly significant in bringing light rail from Baseline Station through to the Barrhaven Town Centre. By combining the current Barrhaven Rail Grade-Separation EA study with the Barrhaven LRT EA study, this work plan will streamline the consultation process, both expediting the commencement of the study and providing cost savings. The combined study is expected to be completed within approximately 24 months, by Fall of 2020.
“I am delighted that Council unanimously supported the proposal to fast-track the Environmental Assessment for LRT to the rapidly growing community of Barrhaven. Given that the demand for world-class, sustainable transit is growing in all parts of our city, I look forward to working with the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to see how quickly we can bring Light Rail Transit to residents of Barrhaven.” said Mayor Jim Watson.
Recommendations from the study are expected to be considered by Committee and Council in the Fall of 2020. Completion of the Barrhaven LRT EA study will put Barrhaven on a level playing-field with other areas outside the Greenbelt with regard to LRT planning. Jason MacDonald, Chair of the Barrhaven BIA, calls this a “significant win for our community. Commuters and businesses alike will benefit from this efficiency. Commuters will spend less time on the road and more time at home and visiting local businesses. Having Barrhaven well-serviced by LRT will have the added spin-off of attracting more employment opportunities to our community. This is a huge win-win for all of us!”
Councillor Jan Harder knows that “This is exciting news for Barrhaven transit users. Combining the EA for both the Barrhaven Rail Grade-Separation and the Barrhaven LRT makes a ton of sense from a time and cost perspective. I am so excited that the 10km rail will extend from Baseline Station to Barrhaven Town Centre.”
As Councillor of Knoxdale-Merivale Ward “I know that my residents and businesses will benefit greatly from the future LRT extension. Connecting Algonquin College to the Nepean Sportsplex is just one of those benefits.” Said Councillor Keith Egli.
This is great news for the communities south of the Barrhaven Town Centre as they will now be better connected.
CONTACT: Andrea Steenbakkers, Executive Director Barrhaven BIA Execdirector@barrhavenbia.ca