Ottawa Hospital’s New Civic Campus Opening Delayed

The launch of the new Civic campus for The Ottawa Hospital will likely be pushed back until deep into the 2030s, according to a project consultant who spoke to city councillors on Thursday.

Graham Bird, president of the GBA Group consulting firm working with the hospital on this project, informed the city’s public works and infrastructure committee that finishing the new hospital campus is still quite a ways off.

“I’m going to get shot for saying this, but I think the hospital itself, it’s a huge project,” he said. “But I’m imagining 2033-34,” he stated regarding its completion timeline.

Bird attended a meeting at city hall where committee members were discussing plans for a pedestrian tunnel that would go under Carling Avenue, linking Dow’s Lake O-Train station on one side of the street to the future hospital on the other.

He mentioned that if the city aims to open both the hospital and pedestrian tunnel simultaneously, they have “eight, nine years to do this and we should focus and get it done.”

Back in 2021, The Ottawa Hospital had planned for construction on the new campus to kick off in 2024, located east of the century-old Civic hospital campus, with hopes for an opening in 2028.

Now several years later, while work continues on building a parking garage at the site, actual construction for the new hospital has yet to begin and no contracts have been signed yet.

Infrastructure Ontario first issued a request for proposals in 2022 but received only one bid from a consortium consisting of Ellis Don and PCL Constructors. Since February 2024, however, Infrastructure Ontario along with The Ottawa Hospital and those builders have been negotiating details.

Construction of the parking garage is underway at the site of the new hospital. (Francis Ferland/CBC)

Infrastructure Ontario referred an inquiry from to the Minister of Health’s office which confirmed that $30 million has been allocated by Ford’s government as planning support for developing The Ottawa Hospital’s new facility.

“Infrastructure Ontario continues to be actively working together with its partners for the development phase of the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus redevelopment project,” wrote press secretary Ema Popovic.

The Ottawa Hospital communicated through email with stating they are still finalizing design elements, costs, and schedules related to construction.

A spokesperson said when asked about an updated timeline for when work will start on campus that “We will be able to confirm these details once this phase of the project is complete.”

Underpass between O-Train and hospital

The city initially considered building a pedestrian bridge but received considerable feedback from residents who expressed preference for a tunnel instead.

The staff reported they’ve identified an effective design for that tunnel which would create a “direct, seamless, accessible and weather-protected connection” between Dow’s Lake O-Train station and The Ottawa Hospital.

The committee approved both designs concerning underpass creation as well as some temporary solutions aimed at aiding pedestrians crossing Carling Avenue at street level.

The proposed tunnel would extend from Dow’s Lake O-Train station platform underneath Carling bridge.

Citing estimates from staff members involved in planning efforts revealed this underpass option could cost around $80 million; however there isn’t any timeline established yet regarding its completion date. Ottawa city staff are recommending an $80-million underpass to connect LRT station at Dow’s Lake directly into entranceway leading towards upcoming hospitals’ arrival points. (Provided by City Of Ottawa)

However , officials also noted how deteriorating conditions surrounding Carling Avenue bridge which sits atop rail tracks nearby indicate it nearing end-of-life expectancy; originally constructed back during1965 period stands roughly estimated between next fifteen up until twenty more remaining usable years.

Bird approached committee advocating necessity behind enhancing connectivity leading toward nearby healthcare facility emphasizing substantial population growth occurring rapidly within surrounding neighborhoods.

“We’re all relying on an LRT station that’s about size equivalent someone’s boat dock down hole.”, he told members gathered discussing current situation regarding existing O-Train Station.

Bird expressed urgency stressing importance ensuring successful transport integration connecting trains alongside hospitals otherwise risks creating major complications.

“If it isn’t , I think we’ve got real mess hands.” , he asserted boldly displaying genuine concern over prospects moving forward together collaboratively.

Additionally Ritchard Brisbin representing architectural team contributing past projects specifically focusing upon Stage One rollout phases joined Graham presenting feedback emphasizing limited capacity issues faced associated exclusively without immediate structural revisions ahead coming months/years ahead while highlighting need exploring ‘Pimisi-like solution’ where platforms centralized mid-tracks allowing greater accessibility options overall within transit systems available nearby areas consistently used frequently during busy hours daily commutes across boarders/multiple regions alike.

The platform at Ottawa’s Pimisi LRT station on Sept. 14 ,2019.(Andrew Lee/CBC)

Bird elaborated further explaining ideal setup depicting pedestrian journey mimicking experience similar underwater tunnels implemented previously installed Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport offering multi-elevator systems plus escalators transitioning travelers safely ground levels ensuring smooth connections throughout different locations desired getting arrived directly utilizing services provided efficiently too!

Full council intends voting upon proposed functional layouts established during upcoming meetings scheduled specifically taking place May thirteenth respectively.

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