About friggin time
Province set to unveil LRT game-changer for Hamilton
Funding commitment is imminent, sources say, as minister Del Duca prepares to visit city
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5616879-province-set-to-unveil-lrt-game-changer-for-hamilton/
The province is close to announcing a game-changing commitment to light rail transit in Hamilton, The Spectator has learned.
Sources at both levels of government say a transit funding commitment is imminent — perhaps as early as next week — but hinges on overcoming serious logistical hurdles.
A spokesperson for Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca wouldn't comment on the specific timing or substance of the anticipated announcement, but promised the minister "will be in the city in the coming weeks to discuss what Ontario's … transit and transportation infrastructure plan means for the residents of Hamilton."
The province wants to green-light part or all of the city's requested $811-million LRT line — but potentially deal-breaking details still need to be nailed down, said sources who didn't want to be identified due to the sensitivity of the discussions.
A transit garage and GO expansion have also been discussed as additional or alternative announcements. If all goes well, a visit is expected any time between next week and early June.
Premier Kathleen Wynne raised eyebrows when she spoke in the legislature about the importance of working with Hamilton to "build that LRT."
She later corrected the record to say she meant "rapid transit."
The city asked for both $811 million for LRT and $302 million for express buses and a maintenance facility in advance of the provincial budget.
Sources say a critical question is whether there's enough cash to build LRT all the way from McMaster University to Eastgate Square — especially given the province is insisting on a spur-line connecting to at least one GO station.
It's not clear how much money the province has to spare for Hamilton after recently committing more than $15 billion to GO electrification and LRT in Mississauga.
But the $811-million LRT estimate is based on 2011 dollars and city staff have warned each year of delay could add two per cent to the total capital cost. The provincial budget suggests Hamilton's transit cash won't be doled out before 2018 and the city still needs years of design work on LRT.
Early documents for the city's LRT project estimated a build from McMaster to Ottawa Street, by comparison, would cost closer to $550 million.
Another issue is whether the HSR or Metrolinx should run the LRT line along the Main-King-Queenston corridor, by far the biggest revenue producer among city transit routes.
The city's bus request, meanwhile, may not easily fit under the mandate of the province's 10-year, $16-billion rapid transit funding plan, but sources said a transit maintenance facility hasn't been ruled out.
It's also possible a timing or funding announcement on extending GO train service to the east city will be included in the minister's visit.
Metrolinx has previously confirmed a ballpark cost of about $150 million to extend GO Train service and build a new station near Centennial Parkway.
Prev
Linear Mode
