Rapid Transit

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

You do realize that Ferguson was the General Manager of Dufferin Construction for over 25 years. He has more construction experience than the people building the LRT. Here's a link to his Linkedin biography and achievements in construction.

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-ferguson-77542044

I'm aware, he made reference to it several times today.

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

You do realize that Ferguson was the General Manager of Dufferin Construction for over 25 years. He has more construction experience than the people building the LRT. Here's a link to his Linkedin biography and achievements in construction.

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-ferguson-77542044

And he hasn't worked in the industry for 15 years now. He's not going to have a current understanding of the industry, especially related to how P3 contracts work as they basically didn't exist in 2006 when he last worked at Dufferin.

[ShavedParmesanCheese]

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

You do realize that Ferguson was the General Manager of Dufferin Construction for over 25 years. He has more construction experience than the people building the LRT. Here's a link to his Linkedin biography and achievements in construction.

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-ferguson-77542044

And how many rapid transport projects of this nature has he been in charge of building?

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by bigguy1231

You do realize that Ferguson was the General Manager of Dufferin Construction for over 25 years. He has more construction experience than the people building the LRT. Here's a link to his Linkedin biography and achievements in construction.

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-ferguson-77542044

So he should know better when coming up with his questions.

[craftbeerdad]

Do people on council understand how math works? Maybe some people need to pass a general test across subjects before being able to take office.

[SteelTown]

Have they mentioned about any possible cost overrun and who would be responsible?

I know with the $1 billion cheque, Queen's Park would be responsible to cost overrun.

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Have they mentioned about any possible cost overrun and who would be responsible?

I know with the $1 billion cheque, Queen's Park would be responsible to cost overrun.

That's the same here. Province is responsible for literally all costs but operating the LRT - and even that the City gets to keep fairbox revenue to pay for.

It's about the best possible deal imaginable for the city. Not only does it not have to pay a dime for construction, maitenence is covered for the asset over it's lifetime by the province as well. The tracks will be replaced on Metrolinx dime, not the City's, LRVs replaced by the province, etc.

It's basically a massive free piece of infrastructure for the city with no real strings attached. The province is even going to pay for the expensive work of cleaning up all the ancient utilities along King St for free. The amount of resistance the project is facing is nothing short of stupifying.

[ScreamingViking]

From an updated Spec article:
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2021/06/02/hamilton-lrt-metrolinx-latest-news.html

Highlights of the updated provincial plan so far:

- Ontario wants a council commitment — or not — on LRT as soon as possible and by the end of this summer “at the latest,” said Nowlan. That would allow “early works” like utility relocation along the Main-King-Queenston corridor to begin early next year.

- Hamilton is being asked to take responsibility for operating and maintenance costs, which the province now estimates at $20 million a year in 2019 dollars. That number will shrink once fare revenue on Hamilton’s busiest transit corridor is factored in, as well as any savings from HSR buses removed from the line.

- A private company could be contracted to run the line, but Metrolinx is “willing to have a conversation” about the prospect of a HSR-run line, instead.

- The province is taking responsibility for any construction cost overruns, Nowlan confirmed.

- Metrolinx is planning to split construction into several stages and contracts, rather than the one, enormous design-build-finance-operate-maintain project bidding process used for Hamilton’s original cancelled LRT. That would allow work to begin faster, but could stretch the construction timeline.

- Former city LRT head, Kris Jacobson, is now working for Metrolinx and will help co-ordinate the proposed new project partnership between Hamilton and the provincial transit agency.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

It's about the best possible deal imaginable for the city.

So it MUST come with hidden catches.

Stupifying indeed. Hopefully the city's transit and finance people provide more clarity with full estimates that include fare revenue, savings (or costs) for various options about what to do with buses that currently run in the corridor, some tax base and city services cost scenarios depending how corridor development happens and sprawl is limited, and some antacid for Lloyd's tummy.

[jonny24]

Now asking if we still get further off-ramps

[ScreamingViking]

Have they mentioned much regarding estimated replacement costs for other infrastructure along the line, and how that will save the city money in its future capital budgets?

Rebuilding the Longwood Rd. bridge over the 403 alone would be a huge savings for the city, and it's not something that can be put off for a lot longer.

[StEC]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

That's the same here. Province is responsible for literally all costs but operating the LRT - and even that the City gets to keep fairbox revenue to pay for.

It's about the best possible deal imaginable for the city. Not only does it not have to pay a dime for construction, maitenence is covered for the asset over it's lifetime by the province as well. The tracks will be replaced on Metrolinx dime, not the City's, LRVs replaced by the province, etc.

It's basically a massive free piece of infrastructure for the city with no real strings attached. The province is even going to pay for the expensive work of cleaning up all the ancient utilities along King St for free. The amount of resistance the project is facing is nothing short of stupifying.

It seriously doesn't get any better, this is the city's one shot at stepping into the future and prospering and yet we have some on council that refuse to see it!

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by StEC

It seriously doesn't get any better, this is the city's one shot at stepping into the future and prospering and yet we have some on council that refuse to see it!

They see it, they're just trying to insure that they get elected in the wards again. It's sad to see such selfish behaviour.

[jonny24]

"What changed from over ago to now? Why do they want to spend more money now"

Gee, what's been different over the past year?

[StEC]

OMG Tom Jackson needs to 🞵🞵🞵🞵 off....

[TheHonestMaple]

Probably the strongest point made today.... "If Hamilton turns down this funding that money will still be spent, just not in Hamilton. Toronto will take the money and build more subways and LRTs in that city, and Hamiltonians will pay for it."

Just approve the damn thing, and bring this city into the 21st century.

[StEC]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Probably the strongest point made today.... "If Hamilton turns down this funding that money will still be spent, just not in Hamilton. Toronto will take the money and build more subways and LRTs in that city, and Hamiltonians will pay for it."

Just approve the damn thing, and bring this city into the 21st century.

100%.... our loss will be another cities gain if they vote this down and it would also signal to the world that Hamilton is a dysfunctional city not to do business or invest in!

[TheHonestMaple]

Big flip with Merulla. Didn't expect that.

[StEC]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Big flip with Merulla. Didn't expect that.

I just stood up and applauded him lol

[SteelTown]

A motion to defer any decision is moved to June 16th GIC meeting passed. Two more weeks to gather more information, mostly financial information.