O-Train faces weeks-long shutdown at St-Laurent Station to fix crumbling concrete

The O-Train will shut down in stages at St-Laurent Station for up to 13 months while crews repair serious concrete deterioration and water damage to the structure.

A Stantec engineering report obtained by councillor Jeff Leiper estimates the total cost at $7.9 million and outlines a phased closure plan: single-track closures for 9 to 10 weeks per track, platform closures for 4 to 5 weeks per platform, and full closure of both tracks for 5 to 6 weeks. The station, originally built around 1985, has faced decades of water leakage through expansion joints, junction boxes and roof drains.

The city has held the engineering report since April 24, 2026, but has not publicly announced the expected service disruptions or when work will begin. Design is scheduled for completion in 2027, with construction finishing by the end of 2029.

Leiper flagged the lack of public communication as a transparency issue, particularly as return-to-office policies increase transit demand across the capital. Commuters relying on the station during peak commute hours face an unanswered question: how the city will manage alternative routing when both tracks close simultaneously, and whether temporary shuttle service or enhanced bus capacity will be provided.