OC Transpo still can't say what's causing the leaks plaguing LRT stations | CBC News (2024)

Elyse Skura · CBC News

· Posted: May 22, 2024 5:44 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 22

The corrosion found behind ceiling tiles over the last week was only the latest issue with the aging St-Laurent tunnel, but inspectors could not have found the problem while repairing fallen concrete in January— because they never looked for it.

On Wednesday, OC Transpo staff said the issue was caught last Friday whensomeone conducting a routine visual inspectionnoted ceiling tiles suspended over the platform were discoloured.

A closer look found the steel rods holding them up were corroding.

I'm trying to maintain public confidence and trust in the system. Here's another issue in the same tunnel.- Coun. Riley Brockington

"There were also areas of concern related tothe concrete roof slab," explained Richard Holder, the city's engineering director.

"That concern was precipitated by discolouration of the concrete, by signs of some visible cracking and efflorescence, which is a calcium buildup that looks like a stalactite that was dripping down from the top of the roof slab."

• St-Laurent station reopens after latest ceiling problem
• LRT tunnel inspection reveals pieces of concrete chipped from main slab, city says

Engineers were confident enough to reopen the station Wednesday morning, althoughriders will notice a thin mesh has been added above platform boarding areas to protect them from falling concrete debris.

Ottawa city councillors expressed frustration with the situation during an online briefing, with somesaying the city needs to find a permanent solution to these issues if OC Transpo wants to regain the trust of riders.

"This is now a second issue in less than half a year," said Coun. Riley Brockington. "I keep telling people the tunnels are safe, the infrastructure is safe. I'm trying to maintain public confidence and trust in the system. Here's another issue in the same tunnel."

Tammy Rose, the city's infrastructure general manager, underscored that the "structure is safe."

But she told Brockington the city and Rideau Transit Group, which is paid to look afterthe Confederation Line, will take another look at its precautionary maintenance routine.

• Skipped inspection, warning signs preceded falling concrete in LRT tunnel

Skipped inspection scrutinized

The city skipped the last full inspection of the tunnel infrastructure, whichwas set to happen in 2022according to theOntario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM).

CBC obtained the 2020 OSIMinspectionreports and images showing water damage, corrosionand"concrete delamination"— the separation of a thintop layer closest to the roof's surface.

Then in January, concrete debris was discovered on the tracks prompting a partial shutdown.

"Obviously this is concerning," Coun. Shawn Menard said to staff. "I really want to know why we were told in April that this was in compliance and had been inspected, and was essentially good to go, when we are seeing this issue just one month later."

Rose said the issues from January and the recent concerns are not related.

The earlier problem stems from the advanced age of the structure, which was built in 1983 for buses on the Transitway. The latest issue was caused by leaks.

"Water infiltration is something that has been noted for a while now. We have records dating back to 1996," she said.

Susan Johns, director of asset management, later told CBC that issues with ceiling tiles and corrosion noted in the 2020 reports were dealt with through the$6.8-millionproject aimed at finding a final solution to long-standing leaks.

That 20-month project failed to uncover where water is coming from, however.

• 710 litres of grout pumped into leaky LRT tunnel walls

Menard pressed for answers, asking whyinspectors didn't find theissues on the platform when they were doing safety checks earlier this year.

"Back in January, the primary goal was to get the service back up and running," said Rose. "Sothe inspections that were done were focused on that section, and we also knew that we were going to come back later this year very soon to conduct the full OSIM inspection."

She alsoemphasized that the 2020 inspection found 95 per cent of the infrastructure was in good repair.

Who pays for this?

Further complicating the issue is the fact that the City of Ottawa bears more responsibility for the tunnel since it predated the LRT.

The Rideau Transit Group is only responsible for its retrofits.

When issues happen on other parts of the line, RTG bears full responsibility for repairs and the city is able to make reduced maintenance payments during outages.

OC Transpo chiefRenée Amilcarsaid repairs related to the corroded brackets would fall under RTG's financial responsibilities, since it should have known about the possibility of leaks and used better materials.

The cost of tunnel inspections will be borne by the city, however.

Amilcar said she'll work with Rose's team to adapt inspections to be"more proactive."

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