Hamilton’s light-rail transit dreams are full-steam ahead.
When Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced May 26 at McMaster University’s Convocation Hall that the province was providing $1.2 billion to build a light-rail transit system from the university to the Queenston circle, plus extending GO transit service from the West Harbour Go Station to the new Centennial Parkway station, the assembled crowd of city officials, former politicians, and business leaders applauded for over 20 seconds.
“It’s a huge day for Hamilton,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, an avid proponent of the project. “We have never in our history have had a billion dollar investment in anything, let alone transit. The economic uplift that comes with this, I think will surprise people. We don’t get many days like this.”
In total, the Liberal government’s announcement involves $1 billion in capital costs for a light-rail transit system that will begin at the western anchor of McMaster University, continue through the downtown to the Queenston circle. There will be a line that will go up James Street North to the West Harbour GO Station that is under construction, and is scheduled to be finished in time for the July start of the Pan Am Games, and end at the waterfront.
“This will connect us like we have never been connected before,” said Wynne, who was accompanied by Hamilton Liberal MP Ted McMeekin, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, and Bruce McCuaig, president of Metrolinx. “We need a place to find more opportunity and more security in life, we need transit that connects the people of Hamilton to each other and to the Greater Hamilton area.”
The original route said Wynne had the LRT, which will have tracks separated by traffic and new LRT vehicles, ending at Eastgate Square, but after discussions with city and provincial officials, the east terminus will be Queenston circle because of budget constraints. Discussions on the future extension to Eastgate Square will continue with the city and Metrolinx officials.
Provincial officials say construction on the new LRT system is scheduled to begin 2019.
“We need to work out the station locations, talking (with the city) about the ultimate extension east way to Eastgate Square,” said Del Duca.
Eisenberger wasn’t too worried about stopping the LRT at Queenston. He said the province had to stay within budget, while also connecting to the expanded GO system throughout the area.
“That connection (James Street North) is the beginning of an “A” line (that) will not only serve the lower city of Hamilton but the mountain as well.”
The proposed “A” line is projected to run along James Street from the Hamilton International Airport to the waterfront.
The mayor said the province is providing the $1 billion for all capital costs for the LRT system. He said the city won’t need to invest any other money to the existing infrastructure. But there will be discussions with provincial officials about maintenance and operating costs, said Metrolinx officials.
“I don’t foresee any dramatic capital expenditures on the city’s part,” said Eisenberger.
In addition, Del Duca said extending the GO train service from the West Harbour GO station to the new Centennial Parkway station will cost about $150 million. Construction on the new station is scheduled to start in 2017, with an expected completion in 2019.
Del Duca added there will also be a “higher order” pedestrian connection to the Hunter Street GO Station, which will also be discussed between city and Metrolinx officials.
Bruce McCuaig, president of Metrolinx, said an "interim" park and ride facility at the Centennial Go Station could be built to accommodate the West Harbour GO transit service that is scheduled to begin this summer. He said people would be able to arrive in their vehicles and get on buses or other transit services.
"We are looking at building an interim platform," said McCuaig. "We need to get CN approvals for passenger service."
McCuaig and Del Duca both said further discussions with Hamilton officials need to take place to identify station locations, maintenance and operating costs for the LRT system, and whether Metrolinx will operate it.
“We will be sitting down with city officials to define the scope of the project,” said Del Duca. “There is a lot to work out in the coming days and weeks.”
Del Duca said ministry officials are continuing discussions with Hamilton representatives about Hamilton’s request for $300 million to boost its public transit system that includes a new bus facility on the mountain.
“The focus of the announcement today is to support the building of LRT and GO service,” said Del Duca. “There will be additional conversations going forward.”
Eisenberger acknowledged city officials “remain in discussions” with the province about the funding, which council requested in February, for bus transit.
“They will own and operate an LRT line,” said Eisenberger. “They will need a yard facility to maintain, turnaround, clean and repair. So those discussions are happening still. It’s not sorted out yet.”
Eisenberger says now that the easy part of getting the provincial funding announced has been completed, the hard part begins.
“Now we have to land (the LRT) and get it done,” said Eisenberger.
Hamilton’s light-rail transit dreams are full-steam ahead.
When Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced May 26 at McMaster University’s Convocation Hall that the province was providing $1.2 billion to build a light-rail transit system from the university to the Queenston circle, plus extending GO transit service from the West Harbour Go Station to the new Centennial Parkway station, the assembled crowd of city officials, former politicians, and business leaders applauded for over 20 seconds.
“It’s a huge day for Hamilton,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, an avid proponent of the project. “We have never in our history have had a billion dollar investment in anything, let alone transit. The economic uplift that comes with this, I think will surprise people. We don’t get many days like this.”
In total, the Liberal government’s announcement involves $1 billion in capital costs for a light-rail transit system that will begin at the western anchor of McMaster University, continue through the downtown to the Queenston circle. There will be a line that will go up James Street North to the West Harbour GO Station that is under construction, and is scheduled to be finished in time for the July start of the Pan Am Games, and end at the waterfront.
“This will connect us like we have never been connected before,” said Wynne, who was accompanied by Hamilton Liberal MP Ted McMeekin, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, and Bruce McCuaig, president of Metrolinx. “We need a place to find more opportunity and more security in life, we need transit that connects the people of Hamilton to each other and to the Greater Hamilton area.”
The original route said Wynne had the LRT, which will have tracks separated by traffic and new LRT vehicles, ending at Eastgate Square, but after discussions with city and provincial officials, the east terminus will be Queenston circle because of budget constraints. Discussions on the future extension to Eastgate Square will continue with the city and Metrolinx officials.
Provincial officials say construction on the new LRT system is scheduled to begin 2019.
“We need to work out the station locations, talking (with the city) about the ultimate extension east way to Eastgate Square,” said Del Duca.
Eisenberger wasn’t too worried about stopping the LRT at Queenston. He said the province had to stay within budget, while also connecting to the expanded GO system throughout the area.
“That connection (James Street North) is the beginning of an “A” line (that) will not only serve the lower city of Hamilton but the mountain as well.”
The proposed “A” line is projected to run along James Street from the Hamilton International Airport to the waterfront.
The mayor said the province is providing the $1 billion for all capital costs for the LRT system. He said the city won’t need to invest any other money to the existing infrastructure. But there will be discussions with provincial officials about maintenance and operating costs, said Metrolinx officials.
“I don’t foresee any dramatic capital expenditures on the city’s part,” said Eisenberger.
In addition, Del Duca said extending the GO train service from the West Harbour GO station to the new Centennial Parkway station will cost about $150 million. Construction on the new station is scheduled to start in 2017, with an expected completion in 2019.
Del Duca added there will also be a “higher order” pedestrian connection to the Hunter Street GO Station, which will also be discussed between city and Metrolinx officials.
Bruce McCuaig, president of Metrolinx, said an "interim" park and ride facility at the Centennial Go Station could be built to accommodate the West Harbour GO transit service that is scheduled to begin this summer. He said people would be able to arrive in their vehicles and get on buses or other transit services.
"We are looking at building an interim platform," said McCuaig. "We need to get CN approvals for passenger service."
McCuaig and Del Duca both said further discussions with Hamilton officials need to take place to identify station locations, maintenance and operating costs for the LRT system, and whether Metrolinx will operate it.
“We will be sitting down with city officials to define the scope of the project,” said Del Duca. “There is a lot to work out in the coming days and weeks.”
Del Duca said ministry officials are continuing discussions with Hamilton representatives about Hamilton’s request for $300 million to boost its public transit system that includes a new bus facility on the mountain.
“The focus of the announcement today is to support the building of LRT and GO service,” said Del Duca. “There will be additional conversations going forward.”
Eisenberger acknowledged city officials “remain in discussions” with the province about the funding, which council requested in February, for bus transit.
“They will own and operate an LRT line,” said Eisenberger. “They will need a yard facility to maintain, turnaround, clean and repair. So those discussions are happening still. It’s not sorted out yet.”
Eisenberger says now that the easy part of getting the provincial funding announced has been completed, the hard part begins.
“Now we have to land (the LRT) and get it done,” said Eisenberger.
Hamilton’s light-rail transit dreams are full-steam ahead.
When Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced May 26 at McMaster University’s Convocation Hall that the province was providing $1.2 billion to build a light-rail transit system from the university to the Queenston circle, plus extending GO transit service from the West Harbour Go Station to the new Centennial Parkway station, the assembled crowd of city officials, former politicians, and business leaders applauded for over 20 seconds.
“It’s a huge day for Hamilton,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, an avid proponent of the project. “We have never in our history have had a billion dollar investment in anything, let alone transit. The economic uplift that comes with this, I think will surprise people. We don’t get many days like this.”
In total, the Liberal government’s announcement involves $1 billion in capital costs for a light-rail transit system that will begin at the western anchor of McMaster University, continue through the downtown to the Queenston circle. There will be a line that will go up James Street North to the West Harbour GO Station that is under construction, and is scheduled to be finished in time for the July start of the Pan Am Games, and end at the waterfront.
“This will connect us like we have never been connected before,” said Wynne, who was accompanied by Hamilton Liberal MP Ted McMeekin, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, and Bruce McCuaig, president of Metrolinx. “We need a place to find more opportunity and more security in life, we need transit that connects the people of Hamilton to each other and to the Greater Hamilton area.”
The original route said Wynne had the LRT, which will have tracks separated by traffic and new LRT vehicles, ending at Eastgate Square, but after discussions with city and provincial officials, the east terminus will be Queenston circle because of budget constraints. Discussions on the future extension to Eastgate Square will continue with the city and Metrolinx officials.
Provincial officials say construction on the new LRT system is scheduled to begin 2019.
“We need to work out the station locations, talking (with the city) about the ultimate extension east way to Eastgate Square,” said Del Duca.
Eisenberger wasn’t too worried about stopping the LRT at Queenston. He said the province had to stay within budget, while also connecting to the expanded GO system throughout the area.
“That connection (James Street North) is the beginning of an “A” line (that) will not only serve the lower city of Hamilton but the mountain as well.”
The proposed “A” line is projected to run along James Street from the Hamilton International Airport to the waterfront.
The mayor said the province is providing the $1 billion for all capital costs for the LRT system. He said the city won’t need to invest any other money to the existing infrastructure. But there will be discussions with provincial officials about maintenance and operating costs, said Metrolinx officials.
“I don’t foresee any dramatic capital expenditures on the city’s part,” said Eisenberger.
In addition, Del Duca said extending the GO train service from the West Harbour GO station to the new Centennial Parkway station will cost about $150 million. Construction on the new station is scheduled to start in 2017, with an expected completion in 2019.
Del Duca added there will also be a “higher order” pedestrian connection to the Hunter Street GO Station, which will also be discussed between city and Metrolinx officials.
Bruce McCuaig, president of Metrolinx, said an "interim" park and ride facility at the Centennial Go Station could be built to accommodate the West Harbour GO transit service that is scheduled to begin this summer. He said people would be able to arrive in their vehicles and get on buses or other transit services.
"We are looking at building an interim platform," said McCuaig. "We need to get CN approvals for passenger service."
McCuaig and Del Duca both said further discussions with Hamilton officials need to take place to identify station locations, maintenance and operating costs for the LRT system, and whether Metrolinx will operate it.
“We will be sitting down with city officials to define the scope of the project,” said Del Duca. “There is a lot to work out in the coming days and weeks.”
Del Duca said ministry officials are continuing discussions with Hamilton representatives about Hamilton’s request for $300 million to boost its public transit system that includes a new bus facility on the mountain.
“The focus of the announcement today is to support the building of LRT and GO service,” said Del Duca. “There will be additional conversations going forward.”
Eisenberger acknowledged city officials “remain in discussions” with the province about the funding, which council requested in February, for bus transit.
“They will own and operate an LRT line,” said Eisenberger. “They will need a yard facility to maintain, turnaround, clean and repair. So those discussions are happening still. It’s not sorted out yet.”
Eisenberger says now that the easy part of getting the provincial funding announced has been completed, the hard part begins.
“Now we have to land (the LRT) and get it done,” said Eisenberger.