Transit task force to propose extensive LRT plan: source

Ottawa should build a light rail transit system that runs north-south and east-west, Mayor Larry O'Brien's transit task force is expected to recommend.

A sourcewho has seen the plan told CBC News it will suggest:

• The east-west trains run on existing tracks between Barrhaven and Orleans.
• The north-south line include an extension of the existing O-Train between South Keys and Leitrim Road.
• A connection be built between the University of Ottawa and the Via Train station.
• The trains pass through downtown viaa tunnel.

The planis said to specifically address many of the criticisms of the previous plan.

In addition, task force members have been in talks with officials in Gatineau about possible future links across the Ottawa River and with Via Rail aboutconnections to communities outside Ottawa, the source said.

O'Brien campaigned hard against Ottawa's proposed north-south light rail transit line during last fall's civic election, and assembled the task force after he was elected mayor and helped defeat the plan.

The group of transportation experts, headed by former transport minister David Collenette, has been working for five months and is to release its final report on June 6.

O'Brien said he has seen a draft copy.

"I think it's going to fill a fairly large void," he said. "Right now there is a vacuum in terms of our transportation plan after the cancellation of the LRT."

Councillors keen to see plan

Councillors said they are eager to see the details in the report, which the mayor bills as much more comprehensive than the previous plan.

"Our plan has to deal with moving people, not only to downtown where most jobs are," said Coun. Alex Cullen, who represents Bay Ward in the city's west end, emphasizingthe importance of east-west transportation.

Coun. Steve Desroches, who represents Gloucester-South Nepean in the southeast, said he is looking forward to seeing the report "so we can get some options on the table, so we can very quickly get to work implementing some transit solutions."

The previous light rail plan was criticized for not serving commuters in the the east and west ends, not solving the problem of downtown congestion, disrupting the popular O-Train andnot providing good value for money.