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Earlier this week, the city of Ottawa, Ontario’s transit and transportation committees obtained a staff recommendation for a new downtown rapid-transit network — the first step toward converting the city’s transit system into light rail as the population grows, transit ridership increases and funding becomes available.

The recommendation calls for constructing a tunnel through the downtown core and converting an existing bus rapid-transit system to a double-tracked, electrified light-rail corridor between the Baseline and Blair stations. In addition, the O-Train rail bed would be upgraded to accommodate a double-tracked light-rail system and extended south to Bowesville, with a link to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.

The remainder of the network would involve the completion of the East/West Transitway to provide passengers access to rail and bus transfers at six stations.