Alstom will supply 34 trams for a new $2.1 billion light rail network in Ottawa.
The rolling stock manufacturer has finalised a contract with the consortium behind the new line, which includes a 30-year maintenance agreement.
Designs for the Confederation Line were released in December. As part of their vision for the new system, the City of Ottawa cited Alstom’s Citadis LRV as the preferred vehicle option.
Alstom is now showing off artist impressions of its new Citadis Spirit tram, which it is currently la
unching in the North American market.
The Citadis Spirit will be able to operate in extreme winter conditions and will have a top speed of 100 km/hour (65 mph).
Construction of the project will start in the next few months and the system is expected to enter full service in spring 2018.
“This project marks the successful entry of Alstom into the North American light rail vehicle market,” said Guillaume Mehlman, Alstom Transport North American president.
“Alstom will bring its experience as the market leader in tramways.
“The Alstom Citadis Spirit light rail vehicle is very flexible and can be adapted to the needs of other cities across North America.”
Alstom will build the vehicles in America and assemble them in Ottawa.
The new light rail system will connect Tunney Pasture in the west of the city to Blair in the east.
Construction of the Confederation Line will include 13 new stations, a 2.5km downtown tunnel and is expected to create 20,000 jobs.
