Rapid Transit

[SteelTown]

Flamborough councillor Judi Partridge 'no longer supports' LRT project

http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7217249-flamborough-councillor-judi-partridge-no-longer-supports-lrt-project/

[SteelTown]

So let's do the math:

YEA: Eisenberger, A. Johnson, Farr, Green, Merulla, Pearson, B. Johnson, Ferguson

NAY: Collins, Skelly, Conley, Partridge

UNSURE: Jackson, Whitehead, Vanderbeek, Pasuta



I feel like Jackson will vote YEA

Whitehead is all over the place on this, but utimately I think he sees this as good thing, so YEA but who knows

Vanderbeek, I rarely hear her speak and is a quiet one so I'm unsure

Pasuta, I believe voted YEA, he tend to see things from the entire perspective instead of just his own ward.

[strackj]

I feel like B. Johnson had drifted over to the NAY side (http://brendajohnson.ca/2016/10/lrt-message-from-councilor-johnson/)

Pearson I am not sure about, I felt that she would support moving forward but also voted against asking Metrolinx for a Bay St stop.

I am fairly certain that Vanderbeek is NAY

[durandy]

Eisenberger's leadership is leaving much to be desired here. Merulla seems to be the champion.

Collins I just shake my head at.

Much less confident in Pearson and Brenda Johnson than Steeltown.

[oldcoote]

Flamborough councillor Judi Partridge 'no longer supports' LRT project

http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7217249-flamborough-councillor-judi-partridge-no-longer-supports-lrt-project/

She never did. She's been naysaying it to business leaders for months. I know this first-hand from one such leader.

[oldcoote]

I received a robocall 'on behalf of a few councillors' judging my support in LRT and whether I'd support a referendum.

[markbarbera]

Eisenberger's leadership is leaving much to be desired here. Merulla seems to be the champion.

Collins I just shake my head at.

Much less confident in Pearson and Brenda Johnson than Steeltown.

A champion needs to win people over. Merulla, who deals in absolutes, doomsday fear mongering and bursts of hyperbole, is no champion. Cut from the same cloth as Whitehead.

[realcity]

I no longer support LRT. Ever since it didn't go down Main now the fact that it doesn't go to Eastgate, which has a bus hub and stores. What's at Queenston TC? Fred just wants the sewers, watermains and sidewalks done for free.

[Rg2016]

I no longer support LRT. Ever since it didn't go down Main now the fact that it doesn't go to Eastgate, which has a bus hub and stores. What's at Queenston TC? Fred just wants the sewers, watermains and sidewalks done for free.

I guess the Queentson circle would be Hamilton's 2nd downtown and they want infills for that location? It makes sense with all the empty lots nearby.

[HamiltonBoyInToronto]

leave it to the city to screw things up again.... this was the perfect chance to turn that highway that runs through downtown (Main street) into a complete street with two way traffic and LRT running down the middle in dedicated lanes... and to connect the east end of the city (Eastgate mall) with the west .... stopping the LRT at Queenston circle makes no sense at all...

they screwed up the stadium and now they are screwing up the LRT :(

[Hawrylyshyn]

I know this isn't the place for this but..

They definitely didn't screw up the stadium. LRT, yes they did.

[realcity]

Stadium should've been at Confederation Park

[MalcolmTucker]

I no longer support LRT. Ever since it didn't go down Main now the fact that it doesn't go to Eastgate, which has a bus hub and stores. What's at Queenston TC? Fred just wants the sewers, watermains and sidewalks done for free.

You know, the city with the province and the feds can fund to Eastgate later right? Much easier to expand once you have the big mostly fixed cost items in place like the operations and maintenance centre done. Heck a provincial election is coming, and a top up to get it done to Eastgate all at once is likely.

[durandy]

I no longer support LRT. Ever since it didn't go down Main now the fact that it doesn't go to Eastgate, which has a bus hub and stores. What's at Queenston TC? Fred just wants the sewers, watermains and sidewalks done for free.

So you'd rather have the B Line Express? That's ultimately the result here. All these speakers at the meeting who said we can instead do this or that with the money, if there's one thing that's absolute, it's that if we don't get LRT we get nothing. So yeah, even if that's Fred's goal, it's still a pretty damn good alternative to nothing.

[Beedok]

At the very least it might get Queen's Park to actually spend some money outside Toronto again in future.

[CaptainKirk]

I no longer support LRT. Ever since it didn't go down Main now the fact that it doesn't go to Eastgate, which has a bus hub and stores. What's at Queenston TC?

But it will go to Eastgate. just not in the first phase. It is still in the plans.

Also, upper levels of gov't have recently given money towards the A-line and the T-line that include Glanbrook, Ancaster, and Hamilton Mountain


Fred just wants the sewers, watermains and sidewalks done for free.

Well yeah, that's over $700m that the city saves. HUGE money!

As a taxpayer I welcome this news.

This is only the first part of a long term plan.

[CaptainKirk]

I guess the Queentson circle would be Hamilton's 2nd downtown and they want infills for that location? It makes sense with all the empty lots nearby.

Queenston traffic circle, as all LRT stops will be, is a node that has changed zoning. This allows for TOD ( Transit Oriented Development)

The LRT, at a later date, will connect to Eastgate. That part has never changed.

https://d3fpllf1m7bbt3.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/media/browser/2015-09-16%2012%3A15/lrt-submission-book1-corridor-strategy.pdf

http://www2.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/9D772317-177E-4696-88CF-B63E56B6D2E6/0/TODGuidelines_Volume2_WEB.pdf

[Berklon]

The LRT, at a later date, will connect to Eastgate. That part has never changed.

If the LRT is operational and it stops at the Queenston traffic circle, it will give a bad first impression and will turn many people off. Adding it at a later date doesn't change that. The LRT has to provide the most positive experience possible right from the start. This dosen't do it as it will be useless to a lot more people.

[CaptainKirk]

If the LRT is operational and it stops at the Queenston traffic circle, it will give a bad first impression and will turn many people off. Adding it at a later date doesn't change that. The LRT has to provide the most positive experience possible right from the start. This dosen't do it as it will be useless to a lot more people.

I don't follow. What is your reasoning?

The ridership already exists. Why would that stop riders along the B-line? What would they use instead? They will still have their travel needs. I don't see how that changes their travel habits.

[markbarbera]

if there's one thing that's absolute, it's that if we don't get LRT we get nothing.

This is simply not true. The funding is for higher order rapid transit. It has never been LRT or nothing.

Metrolinx is pushing for LRT here because they are looking for a dumping ground for the LRT cars they ordered from Bombardier for the Scarborough LRT, which has been cancelled and replaced with a subway line.

[thistleclub]

The funding is for higher order rapid transit. It has never been LRT or nothing.

Two options were brought forward for consideration by the province in the Metrolinx Benefits Case Analysis (http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/Benefits_Case-Hamilton.pdf): B-Line LRT and B-Line BRT. One carries a $1B price tag and we're already in the project stream. The other comes with a $300M price tag and the city would potentially be expected to flesh out the business case and reapply for funding.

The City is of course not limited to those projects. It could build its case for any number of different projects. But it's one of those bird-in-the-hand situations.


Oct 2015 (https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/10/28/brampton-council-rejects-downtown-lrt.html):

MetroLinx CEO Bruce McCuaig said the provincial money that would have funded the Brampton portion of the defeated LRT plan will now be available for other transit projects across the province.

But he made it clear that any alternative transit plan Brampton now decides on could still be considered by the province for funding. “That would have to be evaluated,” he told councillors.

Nov 2015 (https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/11/03/brampton-should-not-count-on-lrt-funding-says-minister.html):

Brampton can't count on hanging on to the money that the province had allocated as its share of the Hurontario-Main LRT, says Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca.…

The money will be reinvested in transportation infrastructure, said Del Duca. But where it goes depends on an analysis of priority transit projects by provincial transportation agency Metrolinx.

"We will proceed with the plan to build the LRT from the Port Credit GO station to Steeles and the balance of the funding in question will flow back into the (province's) Moving Ontario Forward plan to be invested in priority transit projects in the region, which in theory could be a project or more than one project in Brampton but is not necessarily going to be Brampton," he said.

"I can't say at this point it will be in the 905, the 416, in Toronto, in York Region, in Durham, in Brampton because we'll continue to do our work, our analysis," said Del Duca.

[CaptainKirk]

This is simply not true. The funding is for higher order rapid transit. It has never been LRT or nothing.

At one time, long ago, it was for rapid transit, but we're way past that point. the process has led to LRT. We've been at LRT or nothing for a while now and that has been reaffirmed by the province more than once.

[markbarbera]

A portion of the rapid transit plan route has already been changed from LRT to BRT, so the "LRT or nothing" mantra simply doesn't hold the litmus test.

It wasn't LRT or nothing for Toronto's Scarborough line. Council changed their mind and went with a subway line instead, and the Metrolinx funding didn't disappear as a result. It hasn't been LRT or nothing for any other city, so why are we still pushing this myth that Metrolinx holds us to this sort of ultimatum?

[MalcolmTucker]

Well, it is LRT or another higher order transit system on the same corridor. The city is really going to turn around and ask for something that doesn't conform to the BLAST corridor? By changing a plan late in the game remember Toronto did refund a big chunk of change to Metrolinx.

[thistleclub]

A portion of the rapid transit plan route has already been changed from LRT to BRT

Via Metrolinx (http://www.metrolinx.com/thebigmove/en/glossary/):

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Similar to light rail transit operating predominantly in protected rights-ofway, separate from other traffic, but using advanced bus technology. Also includes buses operating in mixed traffic on controlled-access expressways that employ congestion management such as tolls, thereby allowing the buses to maintain high average speeds.

Examples of Metrolinx-funded BRT projects include VIVA Rapidway (http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/Benefits_Case-VIVA.pdf), Mississauga Transitway (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississauga_Transitway) and the projected Dundas Street BRT (http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/Benefits_Case-Dundas.pdf).

HSR? Not so much.

[Innsertnamehere]

You could point to Brampton who changed their minds on the project and had funding yanked. Hamilton would be no different at this point if they backed out. The funding would go elsewhere, the province wants to spend this money, not wait 5 years until the municipality figures out what it wants to do with it.

[eatboots]

A portion of the rapid transit plan route has already been changed from LRT to BRT, so the "LRT or nothing" mantra simply doesn't hold the litmus test.

It wasn't LRT or nothing for Toronto's Scarborough line. Council changed their mind and went with a subway line instead, and the Metrolinx funding didn't disappear as a result. It hasn't been LRT or nothing for any other city, so why are we still pushing this myth that Metrolinx holds us to this sort of ultimatum?

Once it was decided that it was going to be LRT it became LRT or nothing, if Hamilton wants something else it has to go to the back of the line and come up with a new plan after already spending $80 Million on LRT, which sounds exactly like something Hamilton would do

[markbarbera]

Via Metrolinx (http://www.metrolinx.com/thebigmove/en/glossary/):


Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Similar to light rail transit operating predominantly in protected rights-ofway, separate from other traffic, but using advanced bus technology. Also includes buses operating in mixed traffic on controlled-access expressways that employ congestion management such as tolls, thereby allowing the buses to maintain high average speeds.

Examples of Metrolinx-funded BRT projects include VIVA Rapidway (http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/Benefits_Case-VIVA.pdf), Mississauga Transitway (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississauga_Transitway) and the projected Dundas Street BRT (http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/Benefits_Case-Dundas.pdf).

HSR? Not so much.

See diagram below, with emphasis on its title

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3qlqQxXAAYicGP.jpg
https://twitter.com/SamCraggsCBC

[thistleclub]

See diagram below, with emphasis on its title

Exactly. A-Line BRT has been "proposed (http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7097668-proposed-transit-line-would-connect-hamilton-harbour-to-airport/)". The accompanying news release (https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2017/02/ontario-moving-forward-with-more-transit-options-for-hamilton.html) makes it clear that this is still in the planning phase: "Connections to key destinations such as Mohawk College, St. Joseph's Healthcare, and the West Harbour area will also be explored during the planning phase, and details such as the number of stops will be determined through further study by Metrolinx and the City of Hamilton." That's effectively where B-Line LRT was circa 2009.

In addition to the announced environmental assessment, BRT will likely have to undergo ridership studies and analysis and community engagement: There's no existing Metrolinx BCA for A-Line BRT.

The funding question will certainly need to be resolved. The savings from scrapping the James North spur has been estimated at $100M-$125M, but Metrolinx's 2010 BCA valued B-Line BRT at $220M ($248M 2017). If that estimate is correct, A-Line BRT would scale out to around $300M. Adding lane capacity along the 16km route would push that number skyward.

All of which might be an overly cautious read. But it speaks to the "bird in the hand" aspect of how best to proceed.

[markbarbera]

From that news release (https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2017/02/ontario-moving-forward-with-more-transit-options-for-hamilton.html):

The 16 km BRT replaces a previously-proposed 2 km LRT spur, based on analysis and feedback received through public consultations in the fall. Together with the 11km LRT, which will have 14 stops along Main and King Streets, and feature new, modern light rail vehicles with service from McMaster University to Queenston Circle, these two projects will provide rapid, reliable and convenient transit to families and commuters in the Hamilton area.

Regardless on what stage of planning the project is in, Metrolinx has already modified it to include BRT instead of the LRT on a portion of the route - to the extend that BRT now makes up a larger portion of the system's overall route map than the LRT portion of the plan. Clearly, they are committed to rapid transit in the city in either format. the "LRT or nothing" mantra is nothing more than a straw man.

[thistleclub]

From that news release (https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2017/02/ontario-moving-forward-with-more-transit-options-for-hamilton.html):

Regardless on what stage of planning the project is in, Metrolinx has already modified it to include BRT instead of the LRT on a portion of the route - to the extend that BRT now makes up a larger portion of the system's overall route map than the LRT portion of the plan. Clearly, they are committed to rapid transit in the city in either format. the "LRT or nothing" mantra is nothing more than a straw man.

I don't know anyone who claims "LRT or nothing" or discusses the stakes in anything other than a realpolitik sense (i.e. that the promised $1B funding adheres to the project and not the municipality and, in the event that the project is killed, would return to a central reservoir to fund Metrolinx's next priority project (https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2015/11/03/brampton-should-not-count-on-lrt-funding-says-minister.html)). Clearly, Metrolinx is committed to cycling, transit, rapid transit, commuter rail etc. It's just a matter of whether that ideological commitment is backed by a financial commitment.

The prospect of A-Line BRT is an encouraging and welcome development, but it's not clear what it actually amounts to. Anyone who parses government press releases and statements can spot the loopholes and blind spots that ground otherwise grandiose news stories. And the A-Line certainly has those.

As a line on a map, the A-Line is undeniably longer than the B-Line, but the route is as yet unfunded — it's just a potential recipient of the "surplus" from B-Line LRT, in the event that the east-west route comes in under budget. (Minister DelDuca (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/hamilton-go-announcement-live-1.3963159), italics mine: "I would expect some of the money in that $1 billion will go into the delivery for the BRT.") It's also a new announcement, and as such is not a Next Wave project in the priority queue — you won't find it in the most recent Metrolinx mandate letter (http://www.metrolinx.com/en/aboutus/publications/nov2016_mandateletter.aspx), for example.

To be sure, one could argue that B-Line LRT funding could technically vanish even if council rallies unanimously at the 11th hour (I believe that's the Allen Station clause) but it's a lot more concrete than the north-south route, which is still at the conceptual stage.

[thistleclub]

Hamilton Liberal MPP Ted McMeekin calls local Tories ‘bizarre’ for opposing LRT (https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/7231715-hamilton-liberal-mpp-ted-mcmeekin-calls-local-tories-bizarre-for-opposing-lrt/)
(Stoney Creek News, Kevin Werner, Apr 7 2017)

Hamilton Liberal MPP Ted McMeekin calls area Progressive Conservative MPP nomination candidates and party leader Patrick Brown “bizarre” for their stance against the city’s light rail transit project.

Brown said last year during a roundtable business meeting that if elected in 2018 he will still provide the $1 billion in capital funding to Hamilton that the Liberals had authorized for LRT. But it will be up to Hamilton politicians to decide which transportation infrastructure they will spend the money on.

But area Progressive Conservatives officials and MPP nomination candidates have indicated they are against LRT.

“It’s bizarre,” said McMeekin. “Patrick Brown is a serial shape-shifter. You never know what his position will be on anything. For him to be saying to our government over and over again this is all about transparency and accountability and to say he is prepared to write a check for $1 billion and Hamilton can do what it wants with it is not only bizarre, it’s irresponsible.”

Read it in full here (https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/7231715-hamilton-liberal-mpp-ted-mcmeekin-calls-local-tories-bizarre-for-opposing-lrt/).

[Sehnsucht]

Hamilton LRT article in the Globe and Mail.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/off-the-rails-what-a-billion-dollar-lrt-line-means-forhamilton/article34731605/

[SteelTown]

Hamilton's $1B for LRT is only for this project: McMeekin
Local MPP says if city rejects LRT plan, it has to get back in line for funding other projects

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/mcmeekin-lrt-money-1.4082830

Ted McMeekin says Hamilton is getting $1 billion for its light rail transit (LRT) plan, and if city council wants it for a different transit plan, it has to ask for money all over again — and it may or may not get it.

The provincial funding for Hamilton's LRT project is no different than applying to build a hospital, says the Liberal Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale MPP.

If you want to build an arena instead, you have to reapply for the money all over again. And seven cities are already in line for the transit money Hamilton is currently debating.

McMeekin made the comments at a government announcement at LIUNA station Monday.

"If you decide you want to build a hospital, for example, and you get a billion dollars in funding, and then you decide you want to build an arena somewhere, that's a different project and you have to go back to the drawing board," he said.

The fate of Hamilton's $1 billion LRT allocation if the city rejects the project is a key question heading into a critical council vote Wednesday. Some members of city council say Hamilton accepts it for LRT or loses it. Those opposed say that rejecting LRT is not rejecting a $1 billion investment — the money will come back around again for other uses.

McMeekin tried to dispel any confusion or uncertainty.

"The billion dollars was for — and let me make this categorically clear — the light rail transit project," he said.

"If they have another plan down the road, they'll have to … make another request."

In doing so, he said, Hamilton will compete with seven other cities asking for money for rapid transit projects.

However, McMeekin did concede that the idea of returning to the original plan of a line extending as far east as Eastgate Square would be considered part of the existing plan and wouldn't force the city to the back of the line.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger said the city is choosing to accept a $1 billion Metrolinx project, not being given a $1 billion blank cheque.

"It's not Hamilton's money," he said. "It's the province's $1 billion."

​McMeekin said the allocation is specifically for this project, which the city requested the province fund. If the city wants money for another transit project, it goes to the back of the line to request the province fund it.

"We had the debate in Hamilton over many years," he said.

"I remember the angry days when people were screaming at the province to get off its derriere and get this done."

City council will decide Wednesday whether to approve an updated environmental assessment, which lays out the design plan for the $1 billion LRT system.

The plan has an LRT from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle, although some have said plans are still afoot to follow the original plan to Eastgate Square.

McMeekin said there have been "discussions" with the minister, the mayor and others to add Eastgate to the plan again.

"Stay tuned," he said. "Who knows?"

[king10]

Why did Wynne just last week say it wasn't tied to LRT? They need to release a joint message and be on the same page.

[Rg2016]

Why did Wynne just last week say it wasn't tied to LRT? They need to release a joint message and be on the same page.

Well mcmeekin is right, look what happened to Brampton, they are in a major set back

[SteelTown]

City and province in talks to extend LRT to Eastgate Square
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/lrt-eastgate-square-1.4083776

The city and province are talking about extending Hamilton's light rail transit (LRT) system to Eastgate Square as originally planned. But it's still unknown whether it'll happen fast enough to sway any councillors to approve the project during a crucial vote Wednesday.

The city and province have been talking "for months" about LRT to Eastgate Square, said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale. And they're still talking.

As for whether there'll be anything to announce soon: "Stay tuned," he said. "Who knows?'

Changing the LRT plan to go to Eastgate Square may seem like an eleventh hour effort to get councillors on board. But McMeekin's comments are just the latest indication it's not an outlandish idea.

The LRT plan was originally supposed to go from McMaster University to Eastgate Square. But when the province announced $1 billion in 2015 for Metrolinx to build the project, the B line portion only went from McMaster to the Queenston traffic circle.

The province said the revised plan allowed it to build an LRT spur line down James Street North. But it has since found the ridership isn't worth the cost. Then it floated an A line bus rapid transit (BRT) plan from the waterfront to the airport. That hasn't won expected accolades from Mountain councillors, and the province has released no details since.

That leaves $125 million unspent in the $1 billion project. It would cost an estimated $225 million to run LRT to Eastgate Square, which means Hamilton needs more money from the province to make it work.

A plan that goes to Eastgate Square would win over some on a city council where the majority appear to be undecided or opposed to the project.

At least four councillors interviewed say they're more likely to approve the project if it goes to Eastgate Square. That includes Arlene VanderBeek, councillor for Ward 13 in Dundas, who said she's undecided right now.

"It's a much better plan if it goes to Eastgate Square," she said.

As for her own vote, "Does it factor in? I think it factors in. Does it decide it? No."

Terry Whitehead, Ward 8 councillor, said his own support hinges on Eastgate Square.

"There are a lot of discussions going on," he said. "But I'm waiting to see if it bears fruit."

Without an Eastgate Square connection, he said, people would have to get off at Queenston traffic circle and have to get on another bus to go to Eastgate.

"I've talked to people who have said they wouldn't transfer," he said. "What's the point?" In addition, he said, "there's no north-south connectivity at the Queenston traffic circle."

Wednesday is a pivotal day for the project. That's when council will vote on whether to approve an update to a 2011 environmental assessment. The original environment assessment already included a plan to Eastgate Square.

The city has to submit the plan to the province for LRT to continue. If it's not approved soon, the city risks missing the 2019 deadline to start construction.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger confirmed the city and province are talking about Eastgate Square.

"I'm doing everything I can to get this EA approved and move on to the next steps," he said.

[eatboots]

Why did Wynne just last week say it wasn't tied to LRT? They need to release a joint message and be on the same page.

She said it was for transit and Hamilton had decided on LRT, she also said she couldn't believe they were still debating the issue.

[king10]

some potential challenges identified in this article

http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7259156-a-civil-engineer-looks-at-hamilton-s-lrt/

[oldcoote]

converting at least one lane westbound on Main would help this no? One-ways create bottlenecks. Same thing happens when there is a traffic accident on the 403. Everything westbound bottlenecks.

[SteelTown]

City and province in talks to extend LRT to Eastgate Square
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/lrt-eastgate-square-1.4083776

That leaves $125 million unspent in the $1 billion project. It would cost an estimated $225 million to run LRT to Eastgate Square, which means Hamilton needs more money from the province to make it work.


So basically it'll take another $100 million to get a few councilors to back the B-Line LRT.

Kinda odd that they ditched the LRT from downtown to Harbour West GO Station in favour of full A-Line BRT to appease Mountain councilors and now it appears the Mountain will get nothing of this new push towards Eastgate.

[Jon Dalton]

I don't understand the costing of the Eastgate extension. They originally costed the whole B-line at $800-somthing million which inflation boosted to 1 billion. They yanked Eastgate to add the James spur and now they're saying it'll cost $100 million more to switch it back? We're talking roughly the same length of track here and less complications as Queenston Road is wide open compared to James.

As I've always said I support Eastgate but delaying to ask the province for more is playing with fire. If I was Wynne I'd pull the whole billion dollars and fund something in Toronto that would buy me votes instead.

some potential challenges identified in this article

http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7259156-a-civil-engineer-looks-at-hamilton-s-lrt/

Well that's just ridiculous. Who does he think is working for the city and the consulting firm who came up with the EA? No civil engineers there?

[SteelTown]

BREAKING: Province says it will fund LRT to Eastgate.

[SteelTown]

Province supports extension of LRT line to Eastgate Square but offers no new money
https://twitter.com/EmmaatTheSpec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thespec.com%2Fhamilton%2F

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca says the province supports the extension of Hamilton's LRT line to Eastgate Square but is offering no new money to make it happen.

In a letter to Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Del Duca says the province will work with the city to make it happen through the current $1 billion provided but that is contingent on support from Hamilton council.

Council will decide today whether to send a critical environmental assessment plan to the province. If it does, Hamilton's $1 billion project moves ahead. If it doesn't, LRT is suspended indefinitely and risks what some have called "death by delay."

Amid much hand-wringing and consternation from some corners of the council chamber, the city and the province have been in eleventh hour talks about a last-minute switch back to the project's original plan of running from McMaster University to Eastgate Square, rather than the current plan of the Queenston traffic circle.

The LRT plan was originally supposed to extend to Eastgate Square — but when the province announced $1 billion in 2015 for Metrolinx to build the project, the B line portion only went from McMaster to the Queenston traffic circle.

The province said the revised plan allowed it to build an LRT spur line down James Street North. But it has since found the ridership isn't worth the cost. Then it floated an A line bus rapid transit (BRT) plan from the waterfront to the airport, but that didn't win expected accolades from Mountain councillors.

At least four councillors previously interviewed by CBC News say they're more likely to approve the project if it goes to Eastgate Square. That includes Arlene VanderBeek, councillor for Ward 13 in Dundas.

"It's a much better plan if it goes to Eastgate Square," she said.

Terry Whitehead, Ward 8 councillor, previously said his own support for the LRT plan hinged on Eastgate Square.

[SteelTown]

Province willing to work with city to extend LRT to Eastgate

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7263490-province-willing-to-work-with-city-to-extend-lrt-to-eastgate

Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca says the province will work to extend Hamilton's LRT to Eastgate Square.

The announcement was made in a letter sent to Mayor Fred Eisenberger Wednesday.

"Given the funds made available from the removal of the LRT spur, I can confirm that the Province will work to add the Eastgate extension to the current project scope and procurement," it reads.

The extension would be contingent on support from city council and "the consideration of available funding" to address additional cost requirements, the letter continues.

"The Province will work with the City to explore ways to reduce costs to accommodate the extension within the original project budget."

The letter from Del Duca comes in response to one penned by Eisenberger earlier this week that stated Hamilton's goal is to build LRT "to Eastgate and secure the necessary funds to do so now."

Council is expected to vote Wednesday night on whether to submit the existing project environmental assessment to the province for approval. Without that step, Metrolinx cannot start seeking bids for design-build-operating consortiums and the project will stall.

[SteelTown]

Whoa Chad Collins just said he'll support the EA.

If Collins supports it than we've hit a milestone.

[SteelTown]

So let's do the math:

YEA: Eisenberger, A. Johnson, Farr, Green, Merulla, Pearson, B. Johnson, Ferguson

NAY: Collins, Skelly, Conley, Partridge

UNSURE: Jackson, Whitehead, Vanderbeek, Pasuta



I feel like Jackson will vote YEA

Whitehead is all over the place on this, but utimately I think he sees this as good thing, so YEA but who knows

Vanderbeek, I rarely hear her speak and is a quiet one so I'm unsure

Pasuta, I believe voted YEA, he tend to see things from the entire perspective instead of just his own ward.

Ok, so let's update this, based the comments from this evening council session

YEA: Eisenberger, A. Johnson, Farr, Green, Merulla, Pearson, Ferguson, Collins, Jackson, Conley, Whitehead

NAY: Skelly, Partridge

I don't know yet: Vanderbeek, Pasuta, B. Johnson

[durandy]

Jackson and Collins both for this is passing! Wow about face. Collins must think it will be a landslide.

[SteelTown]

Too early to celebrate yet....

http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/poppin1.gif
http://www.reactiongifs.com/tag/champagne/

[SteelTown]

Sounds like Vanderbeek is a YEA

YEA: Eisenberger, A. Johnson, Farr, Green, Merulla, Pearson, Ferguson, Collins, Jackson, Conley, Whitehead, Vanderbeek

NAY: Skelly, Partridge

I don't know yet: Pasuta, B. Johnson

[SteelTown]

LRT EA passes. 10-5

[King&James]

Done ! Yeas 10 Nays 5, moving forward!

[SteelTown]

The Final vote

YEA: Eisenberger, A. Johnson, Farr, Green, Merulla, Ferguson, Collins, Jackson, Whitehead, Vanderbeek

NAY: Skelly, Partridge, Conley, B. Johnson, Pearson

[matt602]

Looks like LRT is safe until the operations and maintenance agreement next year. Really glad to see that they're shooting for Eastgate again, as well. It's a no-brainer commuter hub, especially with Metrolinx plans to expand GO service to Niagara. An LRT hub at Eastgate will also allow the HSR to beef up local service throughout Stoney Creek with connections to Grimsby, who are also starting up their own transit service in the next few years.

[RaginRonic]

Looks like LRT is safe until the operations and maintenance agreement next year. Really glad to see that they're shooting for Eastgate again, as well. It's a no-brainer commuter hub, especially with Metrolinx plans to expand GO service to Niagara. An LRT hub at Eastgate will also allow the HSR to beef up local service throughout Stoney Creek with connections to Grimsby, who are also starting up their own transit service in the next few years.

Another good thing about the LRT project is that HSR can make the 56 CENTENNIAL bus route one that operates all day between Eastgate and the future Confederation GO station and Walmart. People would need to use that bus route then.

=)

[durandy]

It's really weird the way it's played out. Whitehead stirs up a giant cloud of opposition, then supports it only because the project will now be longer and more expensive, and, thanks to the lack of commitment, maybe partially funded by the city? And wasn't it Collins that killed the LRT line to Eastgate, now he supports it when it's being reextended there?

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^They're children.

But I'm thrilled that it seems to be going ahead.

But they're bloody little children playing children's games.

[Beedok]

Looks like LRT is safe until the operations and maintenance agreement next year. Really glad to see that they're shooting for Eastgate again, as well. It's a no-brainer commuter hub, especially with Metrolinx plans to expand GO service to Niagara. An LRT hub at Eastgate will also allow the HSR to beef up local service throughout Stoney Creek with connections to Grimsby, who are also starting up their own transit service in the next few years.

Grimsby is starting a bus service?

[drpgq]

Maybe the city can get some federal money to make up the shortfall if there is one. I'm glad the LRT is going to Eastgate. The province deserves some blame here for their stupid harbour spur idea, but at least we are doing right. Hopefully.

[thistleclub]

Grimsby is starting a bus service?

Grimsby Transit Investigation Study (http://www.grimsby.ca/Transit-Investigation/grimsby-transit.html)

The Town of Grimsby has engaged Dillon Consulting Limited to undertake a Transit Investigation Study. The purpose of the study is to help the Town of Grimsby determine the feasibility of introducing a viable transit service that improves mobility and quality of life for our residents. Throughout the study, we will be seeking your input to better understand your mobility needs and your support for public transit.

The transit investigation will include:

• Public consultation (surveys, open houses, focus groups) with Grimsby residents, community groups, and local business groups;
• A review of comparable communities that offer transit services;
• The preparation of a financial plan and feasibility assessment for a potential future transit service;
• If the service is deemed feasible, a recommended design of a potential future transit service, including routes, service levels, and service delivery mechanisms.

More here (http://www.grimsby.ca/Transit-Investigation/grimsby-transit.html).

[matt602]

Grimsby Transit Investigation Study (http://www.grimsby.ca/Transit-Investigation/grimsby-transit.html)

The Town of Grimsby has engaged Dillon Consulting Limited to undertake a Transit Investigation Study. The purpose of the study is to help the Town of Grimsby determine the feasibility of introducing a viable transit service that improves mobility and quality of life for our residents. Throughout the study, we will be seeking your input to better understand your mobility needs and your support for public transit.

The transit investigation will include:

• Public consultation (surveys, open houses, focus groups) with Grimsby residents, community groups, and local business groups;
• A review of comparable communities that offer transit services;
• The preparation of a financial plan and feasibility assessment for a potential future transit service;
• If the service is deemed feasible, a recommended design of a potential future transit service, including routes, service levels, and service delivery mechanisms.

More here (http://www.grimsby.ca/Transit-Investigation/grimsby-transit.html).

And more recently:

New transit system unveiled for Grimsby (https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/7096719-new-transit-system-unveiled-for-grimsby/)
First year of service to costs town nearly $2 million in capital investment, $650,000 in operating costs

"Dennis Kar, the consultant who completed the study explained the details of how he suggests the town move forward.

He says that the town should take a five-year approach to building out the system in time for GO Transit service to arrive.

It would give the town time to understand ridership, for residents to adjust their transportation patterns and to work out the kinks of unveiling a brand new project."

[thomax]

New map...

http://i.imgur.com/clz0C5O.jpg
Hamilton B-line LRT Map (https://twitter.com/HamiltonLRT/status/857948788274712577) by HamiltonLRT (https://twitter.com/HamiltonLRT), on Twitter

[Berklon]

What's the "High-Order Pedestrian Connection" consist of?

[SteelTown]

^ Basically the same idea the city did with King St South along Gore Park.

No cars, all flush (no curbs separating sidewalk to the road), add some lighting, add plants and trees and Bob's your uncle you've got a high-order pedestrian connection.

[thistleclub]

Ontario is squandering LRT opportunities in Hamilton (https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/04/28/ontario-is-squandering-lrt-opportunities-in-hamilton-micallef.html)
(Toronto Star, Shawn Micallef, Apr 28 2017)

Moments come and moments go.

Canada had a moment in 1967. The centennial year was a legendary time when we built grand buildings and infrastructure across the country, such as the Ontario Science Centre, though it ultimately opened in 1969.

Likely one of those places you last went on a school trip, it’s worth a return visit. The building has had some unfortunate additions inside and out over the decades, but much of its brutalist concrete grace can still be felt. Designed by famed Toronto architect Raymond Moriyama, the Science Centre leaps over a ravine then crawls down into the Don Valley. For many visitors, it was likely the first experience of Toronto’s hidden topography, and Moriyama’s design celebrates the contours of the valley itself.

It was fitting, then, that the Science Centre played host to a symposium last weekend put on by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario’s Toronto chapter that, in part, looked at the centennial legacy of Expo 67 and other building projects from that period. Back then, Ontario and Canada were thinking big and investing in all manner of modern projects that were seen as province and nation building efforts. In hindsight, not all were successful and some bulldozed parts of cities that shouldn’t have been, but that spirit of creating new things seems intoxicating in retrospect.

The 150th birthday of both Ontario and Canada this year has a much different sense to it: more of an introspective time for the country as it figures out what it means to be Canadian, coupled with an overdue reckoning with its colonial legacy. Yet Ontario is at a historic, once-in-a-lifetime moment again in terms of building things: there’s money on the table for a number of massive transportation infrastructure projects, yet the opportunity is being squandered in some places.

Certainly Cicero or Plato have a passage somewhere where they predict that Light Rail Transit (LRT) will be the final undoing of the social contract, ripping apart civil society. At least they would if they visited Hamilton recently.

The provincial government has promised that city $1 billion to build an LRT from McMaster University, east through the downtown, connecting with the Hamilton GO centre and ending on the city’s east side. Hamilton’s got one of Canada’s great and solid downtowns that’s seeing a slow, hard-fought renaissance after decades of decline, and the city has been absorbing people moving from Toronto and elsewhere while new businesses are opening up. It’s an exciting place, and the kind of place where an LRT line seems natural.

Instead, it’s become one of the most divisive political issues in recent years. The Hamilton Spectator even shut down comments on an LRT story because they were more vicious than the usual viciousness of newspaper comment sections, and one Hamilton city councillor even said if the city rejected the $1 billion it would be a “kick in the groin.” After endless debates, this week city council voted to move ahead with the LRT, though there’s still a chance it could be cancelled next year.…

Much has been made of younger people opting for generally car-free lives, preferring to live in walkable, dense communities rather than the suburbs. A poll commissioned by some Hamilton councillors this month showed LRT support is highest among younger people and drops lower as age increases. Much like Brexit in the UK, it’s easy to interpret the young looking towards the future with older folks searching for some past glory.

The glory, though, is downtown Hamilton. LRT, as a “higher order” of transit, is a statement that what civil society invested in over the last decades or even centuries is worthy of reinvestment. LRT has brought prosperity and life back to places that need a kick-start, and the laying down of permanent tracks is a message of long-term commitment to a place. It’s deeply ironic that Hamilton’s public bus agency is still called the “Hamilton Street Railway,” as it ran streetcars from the Victorian era until the 1950s. Much of solid, downtown Hamilton is a legacy of those rails.


Read it in full [https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/04/28/ontario-is-squandering-lrt-opportunities-in-hamilton-micallef.html]here[/URL].

[durandy]

finally a Torstar article about Hamilton that isn't an informercial. Unfortiunately I get the sense he wrote this expecting council to reject LRT then had to hastily rejig it before the deadline.

"The Hamilton Spectator even shut down comments on an LRT story because they were more vicious than the usual viciousness of newspaper comment sections"

This provoked lols.

[Berklon]

Articles like that will make people outside of Hamilton think how backwards and out of touch with the times this city is. And they wouldn't be wrong either.

It's really embarrassing that we have troubles accepting opportunities to move forward. Something that most cities would jump on with very little resistance.

[ScreamingViking]

It's not Ontario that has been doing the squandering, but I get what the author meant by that headline. Why bother giving billion dollar opportunities to places that don't have their $#it together, right?

Hamilton's debate has been unnecessarily painful (though that's nothing new to anyone who knows #HamOnt politics). But some of that is due to past political decisions handed down with no debate ([cough] amalgamation [cough]) and a city that was hit with so many body blows during the 1980s and 90s that it can't seem to recognize when a hand is a helpful one and not a fist. And when outside money has come to town, it's been like pigeons being thrown a slice of bread.

Hopefully the aftermath of relief by council at large and seeming openness of LRT opponents and skeptics to work together with supporters is a sign this city is moving past argumentative ambivalence and toward the forward thinking the writer of that piece feels Ontario has lost.

[Chronamut]

Time to address the Elephant in the room.. looks like it's a go.. 90 buildings are being planned to be "demolished" to be rebuilt to beautify this strip.. thoughts? I know this is a bitterly contested topic in hamilton.. some question the point of it, some see it as a "vegas strip" style beautification, some see it as a death warrant for any existing businesses on king st.. me personally.. I don't like it, but in the end I have no say in it.

https://www.hamilton.ca/city-initiatives/priority-projects/light-rail-transit-lrt

http://globalnews.ca/news/3407894/hamilton-lrt-moves-forward-following-council-vote/

http://www.raisethehammer.org/static/images/b_line_lrt_alignment_gore_park.png

https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2017-02-02/hamiltonlrt-routemap-apr2017.jpg

https://shawglobalnews.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/lrt-picture.jpg?quality=70&strip=all&w=720&h=480&crop=1

https://i.cbc.ca/1.3086952.1432585445!/fileImage/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/original_620/main-st-e-hamilton-lrt.png

http://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2016-05-02/lrt-mcmaster-rendering-web.jpg

https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2016-05-02/lrt-scott-park-rendering-web.jpg

https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2016-05-02/lrt-international-village-rendering-web.jpg

https://i.cbc.ca/1.3086888.1432585223!/fileImage/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/lrt-downtown-international-village-closed-to-traffic.png
Now I know this might seem unrelated to skyscrapers, but the truth of the matter is there are going to be a lot of buildings affected along here, a lot torn down, and a lot built and rebuilt, so there will be a good ton of buildings RELATED to the LRT that will be built along here.

[Beedok]

Wait, what are they going to demolish? I thought the street was plenty wide enough?

[Chronamut]

Wait, what are they going to demolish? I thought the street was plenty wide enough?

the street is wide enough yes, but there are a lot of decrepit old buildings along here, and I guess for any stops those buildings are going to take top priority - I remember seeing some proposed plans, and basically wherever there is a stop they are going to build something around there, as they know that is where all the business is going to be for the next 100 years.

If I find those proposed plans I will post them. Nothing is set in stone of course. I work for rogers in the planning dept so we do get architectural plans before most people do for utilities.

you can also follow more of the progress here in the transportation section of this site: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=7064541 http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=149161&page=169

I did find this forum discussion though where they talk about the buildings to be demolished, it just doesn't state which ones.. there is info there that leads to the city for cultural heritage preservation of buildings.. I am trying to pore through the pdfs..http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/hamilton-lrt-metrolinx-city-of-hamilton-planned.6462/page-63

this one seems of particular interest: http://hamilton.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/cache/2/t21senw0tsb0sojn2ihkplvz/19645005042017104851679.PDF

[markbarbera]

Years ago I was pressing for a route along Main for this very reason. Main which has much less of a streetwall built up than King and would have been a much better candidate for building stations with as minimal demolition of existing building and greater flexibility for expropriation. It would have also allowed for the least amount of disruption for existing businesses. Unfortunately, we have a witless chamber of commerce head with an extremely limited understanding of how LRT actually works, and he didn't step up for the businesses when he should have.

[Chronamut]

ah here we go this shows pictures of the proposals:

http://www.metrolinx.com/en/regionalplanning/projectevaluation/benefitscases/Scheme_Plans.pdf

[Chronamut]

Years ago I was pressing for a route along Main for this very reason. Main which has much less of a streetwall built up than King and would have been a much better candidate for building stations with as minimal demolition of existing building and greater flexibility for expropriation. It would have also allowed for the least amount of disruption for existing businesses. Unfortunately, we have a witless chamber of commerce head with an extremely limited understanding of how LRT actually works, and he didn't step up for the businesses when he should have.

apparently parts of main street ARE going to be used - it's not going to strictly be king st if you look at the pdf I just posted..

[SteelTown]

Most of the demo, if not all, are in the East end. From ward 3 to 5.

[davidcappi]

Why isn't this in a Metrolinx / Rapid Transit thread?

[Chronamut]

Why isn't this in a Metrolinx / Rapid Transit thread?

apparently this is in the transportation and infrastructure area now. I wasn't sure what area to post it in as it affects both roads and buildings..

[movingtohamilton]

apparently parts of main street ARE going to be used - it's not going to strictly be king st if you look at the pdf I just posted..

Yes indeed. Although the bulk of the stops will be on King Street, west of the Main/King split.

https://twitter.com/ham_LRT

[mattgrande]

I thought it was 90 expropriations, most of which would just be shaving off corners of properties (ie, not necessitating demolition).

[Chronamut]

I thought it was 90 expropriations, most of which would just be shaving off corners of properties (ie, not necessitating demolition).

that doesn't seem to conform with the images I saw of proposed stops - think of it this way - if there are a bunch of falling apart houses near an lrt stop - those are most likely going to be bulldozed because they know that those stops are going to be where all major business thrives for the next.. century..

but who knows what will ACTUALLY happen.. unfortunately I cannot find the image I originally found of that as I guess I just figured it would be easy to re-find on the internet and now I cannot find it.. but if I do I will repost it..

there IS talk of properties being "expropriated" though... http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6515685-hamilton-s-much-anticipated-lrt-plans-ready-for-public-viewing/

and a year later.. http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7263490-lrt-to-eastgate-square-reborn-after-council-nod/

one update, next year council still has a vote they can use to veto this whole project - but by then roughly 80 million dollars on planning and property purchases will have been spent, and some councillors have said they will withdraw their support in that vote if the project goes over budget and taxpayers are expected to pay more for it as the city will not provide additional funding.

[eatboots]

There are some buildings coming down for sure but I don't think anyone is going to miss the Rub and Tug at Sherman or the ugly car wash at Wentworth, for the most part though it's just going to be small pieces of property that are expropriated, sometimes as small as a few inches to a few feet. Of the almost 1000 properties on the route only 250 are in the way and only about 70 of those are coming down completely

[LikeHamilton]

I would not take any of these proposed pictures of the LRT route as gospel. The pictures at the open houses they had, had differences in them. i.e. the stop at McMaster was on the north side of Main Street and not in the middle as these pictures show. There would not be any trees removed in the middle of the road like the article in the paper claimed. Also the the stop at King and James. These plans shows both east and west bound stops between James and MacNab. At the open houses it shows the west bound stop between James and MacNab and the east bound stop between James and Hughson besides Gore Park.

I expect more changes in the plan as we get closer to the first shovel in the ground.

Presentation Boards

https://d3fpllf1m7bbt3.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/media/browser/2017-01-16/lrt-presentation-pic2.pdf

Maps

https://d3fpllf1m7bbt3.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/media/browser/2017-01-16/lrt-maps-pic2.pdf

[matt602]

Now that the Environmental Assessment has been 100% completed and approved, we should be able to expect that any future renderings that are released should be much more accurate in terms of placement and overall design. The ones we've seen to date are probably still very much subject to change.

[Chronamut]

looking at the drawing, would it not make sense for them to also have one going down centennial in future, so that the lrt connects to the confederation go station?

*EDIT* nevermind, looks like they do have some long term plans for that in future - having the LRT connect to the go in this way would make it.. more plausible and logical.

[LikeHamilton]

Possible change on who supply's Hamilton's LRT cars.

Metrolinx signs deal to buy light rail vehicles from Alstom in shot against Bombardier

Hamilton Spectator By Allison Jones

TORONTO — The Ontario government has turned to a French manufacturer for light rail vehicles as a backup plan if Bombardier fails to deliver railcars for transit projects in Toronto — a significant concern the provincial transit agency has been raising for months.

In an announcement on Friday, the provincial government said it had reached a $528-million agreement to buy 61 light rail vehicles from Alstom in case plane and train maker Bombardier is found to be in default at the end of a court-ordered dispute resolution process.

The deal ratchets up a dispute between the province and Bombardier over the Montreal-based company's ability to fulfil train orders in a city where gridlock has become an increasing frustration for hundreds of thousands of commuters.

Last month, an Ontario judge ruled that Metrolinx can't cancel its $770-million contract with Bombardier to build light rail vehicles for the Eglinton Crosstown, a transit line being built across a portion of Toronto, without first going through a dispute resolution process.

Ontario Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca said that process could take up to a year, and if Bombardier "continues to fall even further behind," the transit projects will be further delayed.

"Over the past many months, Metrolinx has had extremely serious concerns regarding Bombardier's ability to deliver quality vehicles according to the contract schedule," Del Duca said. "For example, the pilot vehicle that Bombardier presented this past winter, which was late, couldn't move under its own power."

Bombardier said in a statement that it is "ready, able and willing" to deliver the vehicles on time.

"As the minister and Metrolinx are well aware, these vehicles can be ready ahead of schedule and well before a single track has even been laid on the Eglinton Crosstown," the company said, adding it is producing identical vehicles for the Region of Waterloo in Ontario that will be delivered by the end of the year.

"We've met each and every major LRV delivery milestone in the last eight months and the proof will be in the performance of these vehicles in Waterloo and on Eglinton," the company wrote. "We have addressed the issues raised in the past and we are confident this will be upheld in the dispute resolution process."

Of the 61 vehicles ordered from Alstom, 17 will be used for the Finch West LRT project in north Toronto. The other 44 will be used for the Eglinton Crosstown if Bombardier is unable to deliver. If the company comes through, those Alstom vehicles will be used for other projects, including the Hurontario LRT west of Toronto, Del Duca said.

This agreement gives Ontario more certainty that the Finch West and Eglinton Crosstown will open on time in 2021, he said.

"Alstom Canada is currently delivering quality vehicles on time for Ottawa's Confederation line LRT," he said. "Alstom vehicles are comparable in price. Alstom Canada is the only other supplier in North America able to meet the same high level of accessibility as Bombardier."

Alstom Canada will also open an assembly facility in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to deliver on the contract, Del Duca said, touting the job creation benefits.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking Friday north of Toronto, was asked to weigh in and said Ontario makes its own choices.

"In general we tend to respect the opportunity and the responsibility of municipalities or provinces to make decisions around procurement that is going to be based on both what they offer their citizens in terms of services and the price they're asking their taxpayers to pay," he said.

Ontario's opposition parties said it's a bit late for the government to be coming up with a backup plan.

"This contract's been signed for over seven years and now they're finally paying attention?" said Progressive Conservative critic Michael Harris.

New Democrat Peter Tabuns cited problems the Toronto Transit Commission has also had in receiving Bombardier trains on time.

"What's maddening is they've known for years there's problems with Bombardier delivering," he said. "They could have a few years ago gone to Bombardier and said, 'look, you're not delivering on the streetcars in Toronto, we have this deal with you, what are you doing to make sure that we don't get stuck in the same position as TTC?'"

The Canadian Press

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7312556-metrolinx-signs-deal-to-buy-light-rail-vehicles-from-alstom-in-shot-against-bombardier/

[thistleclub]

VIDEO: Alstom's Citadis Spirit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xnIbutbaqM)

[matt602]

Those look miles ahead of Bombardier's design and marketing. Glad to see that we'll probably be getting those.

[LikeHamilton]

People on the GO, 1973

This film, produced by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications, surveys solutions for municipal transit systems for better transportation across the province in 1973.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N08lSJj426w

[King&James]

^^ tiny clip of hsr and Hamilton Place right near end of video

[matt602]

^^ tiny clip of hsr and Hamilton Place right near end of video

Also some trolley buses near King and Hughson at about 3/4's through.

[CaptainKirk]

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19956201_1893608087332829_4834775966449505377_o.jpg?oh=0a2b73f30269250e89cdb3a72242bafb&oe=59CAC18B

From Joey Coleman's TPR FB site

[durandy]

I'd rather traffic be completely removed through the international village than having this single east-bound lane. With no traffic, people could freely walk throughout the area and cross to the shops on the north side of the street. With the car lane just on the south, there's a danger of stranding a lot of those shops on the north side of the street. Who going east will be driving this route anyway since Main is so close and already a free flowing easterly route?

[MalcolmTucker]

[del]

[realcity]

this is stellar
http://bayobserver.ca/pushing-back-against-lrt/

[SteelTown]

Lengthened LRT Gets Provincial Blessing

https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7486783-lengthened-lrt-gets-provincial-blessing/

Hamilton's light rail transit project, which has sparked passionate support and opposition in the city, has received another green light from the province.

"Fantastic news!" tweeted Mayor Fred Eisenberger Thursday. "We've received confirmation today that (Ontario environment minister) Chris Ballard is allowing LRT to proceed as amended."


In the spring, the city submitted an environmental assessment (EA) reflecting an LRT route extended by three kilometres to Eastgate Square for provincial approval.

Project lead Metrolinx and the city updated design documents to reflect an additional three stops in the east end, and eliminated an earlier proposed transit terminal at the Queenston traffic circle.

Eisenberger told The Spectator the EA approval is another milestone in the life of the project but challenges remain.

"One can expect hiccups along the way, and we've had them and overcome them, and we are still on our time schedule we set out early on."

That schedule, he said, means having contracts signed in September 2018.

"I won't celebrate until we have shovels in the ground … But this (EA) was a big hurdle that had to be crossed, and now we can get on with finalizing design issues and other details and acquisition of property that needs to happen."

A letter from Ballard, which will be presented to councillors Wednesday at the general issues committee, says the Ministry of the Environment received 25 objections to the amended LRT plan, including concerns about the cost of the project, noise, pollution, construction and road congestion.

Ballard wrote he believes the project won't have a negative impact on "matters of provincial importance related to the natural environment … As such, you may now proceed with changes to the Hamilton B-Line LRT project …"

[durandy]

Very few people. But there will be access for deliveries and taxis and the occasional friends and family drop off.

Those are very narrow sidewalks though, if the drawing is accurate to the plan.

Trade the traffic lane for a two way bikeway that is usable as delivery before 7 am and after 9 pm, with soft curbs for larger sidewalks that can be delivery pull off zones on one side of the street at least.

The amended EPR addendum (https://d3fpllf1m7bbt3.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/media/browser/2017-06-30/hamilton-lrt-environmental-project-report-addendum-amended-final.pdf) is now available.

One of the changes described (p2-1) is a change from side-running to centre running tracks for most of the route. It looks like this will enlarge the route. The impact to traffic in section 4.5.2 describes the changes, including that "With the change to centre-running alignment on King Street from Dundurn to Queenston, all on-street-parking and loading areas in this area will be eliminated."

The sidewalks are supposed to be a minimum of 2.5 m but can be reduced to 1.5 m where there are obstructions.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton's LRT on the Metrolinx big map
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLjxk9IU8AA7uOZ.jpg:large
Jason Thorne
https://twitter.com/JasonThorne_RPP

[thistleclub]

Terry Whitehead quotes from Evacuated Tube Transport Technology "Space Travel on Earth" (https://soundcloud.com/samantha-craggs/terry-whitehead-quotes-from-evacuated-tube-transport-technology-space-travel-on-earth#t=0:00)

VIDEO: Evacuated Tube Transport Technologies (ET3) Space Travel on Earth **OFFICIAL INTRO** (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBim_WlvSpc)

[SteelTown]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DRgIdMxVQAEc4gL.jpg
Terry Cooke
https://twitter.com/TerryCookeHCF

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Terry Whitehead quotes from Evacuated Tube Transport Technology "Space Travel on Earth" (https://soundcloud.com/samantha-craggs/terry-whitehead-quotes-from-evacuated-tube-transport-technology-space-travel-on-earth#t=0:00)

VIDEO: Evacuated Tube Transport Technologies (ET3) Space Travel on Earth **OFFICIAL INTRO** (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBim_WlvSpc)

Terry is a modern day Moses leading the Israelites out of the desert. :slob:

Again, I'm pretty sure the city would function just fine without these mouth-breathers using up all the oxygen.