Hamilton's B-Line LRT construction

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by HamiltonBoyInToronto

In the meantime it would be nice to see more private development along this corridor so that the area doesn't sit stagnant until 2024

As we've already seen many are starting. When it comes to rentals, the next couple of years is the perfect time to start because move in date will be right during or after LRT construction which is perfect timing to maximize rent return. For condos it's a bit harder. To presell an off again on again project, condo purchasers may want to see shovels in the ground. Mind you many condo purchasers don't actually pay attention to those kinds of issues. They see "future LRT line" and think it's a great investment based on other transit projects. GO actually coming to West Harbour is huge for showing the province is actually committed to transit in Hamilton, so that goes a long way.

I suspect we will see 10-30 new proposals along the LRT route within the next 2 years, and continue to see 10-20 per year during construction. That would put us around ~90 new developments along the corridor alone by the earliest end date. We have been seeing about 2-5 per year up until now.

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by King&James

Would be curious to know if there have been any obvious land assembly undertakings near or at the LRT station stops. Or perhaps we will see some MZOs along the path to accelerate the development timelines and density.

Metrolinx is having to expropriate a ton of property along the line and demolish - I recall seeing something like 90 different properties. Most of these land needs are only for a metre or two of property that happen to fall on the existing building requiring full expropriation and demolition, so I imagine Metrolinx will RFP sale the remaining lands at some point. I expect a big push for affordable housing integration into those sales at that time.

That likely won't be until later in the decade though.

There are already lots of land assemblies going on behind the scene as well as other large parcels being sold to developers that don't need assembly (Eastgate Square included), so it'll be interesting to see how things evolve.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

so I imagine Metrolinx will RFP sale the remaining lands at some point.

This is one thing that the business case for the project hasn't covered, to my knowledge. Mlx could be sitting on a fortune.

Property purchase is always part of a cost-benefit analysis for transportation (if done correctly), but I would bet that in most cases only a small portion is required for the infrastructure. The rest can be sold, likely at a much higher value.

[TheHonestMaple]

I feel like zero information about the LRT has come out in the past few months.

[LikeHamilton]

13 more demolitions in the next few weeks.

[TheHonestMaple]

More vacant properties slated for demolition as Hamilton LRT project moves ahead

Work to prepare for the future Hamilton LRT project continues to ramp up ahead of early construction activities. It includes dealing with vacant Metrolinx-owned properties. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming demolition work.

Demolition of several more Metrolinx-owned properties along the Hamilton light rail transit (LRT) route will begin later this month.

It follows work completed at 23 other Metrolinx-owned properties last year.

The demolitions will prepare acquired properties for future staging and construction and ensure community safety, as the demolitions will reduce or eliminate the risk of fire, vandalism, and illegal activities in these vacant properties.

The 13 additional buildings slated for demolition include:

1203 King Street East
85 Paisley Avenue South
918 Main Street West
930 Main Street West/160 Bond Street South
940 Main Street West
670-674 King Street East
676-680 King Street East
692 King Street East
696 King Street East
787-789 King Street East
924 King Street East
1030 King Street East
1407 Main Street East
Demolition work will begin across the route in late March, pending permit approvals.

Metrolinx is working with demolition subcontractors and the City of Hamilton to make sure pedestrian, transit and vehicle access or detours are visible and easy to follow. Residents and businesses near the work will receive advance notice of demolition activities.

These properties will be required for station stops, infrastructure, and widening to accommodate the future LRT right of way. In the short term, demolition sites will be restored, secured with fencing, and monitored by security contractors.

The acquisition process for additional properties is expected to begin in the coming weeks as property requirements continue to be confirmed. This process will begin with Metrolinx reaching out directly to impacted owners.

Early construction works for utility relocations is expected to begin later in 2022 and procurement – the Request for Qualifications for bidders – on the main construction contract is expected to start this year as well.

Editor’s note – This story was edited on Mar. 17, 2022, to reflect updates on the project and the latest round of property demolitions

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

I feel like zero information about the LRT has come out in the past few months.

I think we can expect this for now. Planning and procurement work will largely be a quiet exercise, at least to the public.

Even after contracts are signed it may be a while between project milestones, though we'll be able to see the progress live after construction begins.

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

I feel like zero information about the LRT has come out in the past few months.

Here's an update report on the LRT project:

https://pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=314103

[ShavedParmesanCheese]

Had a quick skim, would I be right to say that apart from demolitions, we're not going to see a whole lot of progress until next year?

[TheHonestMaple]

Yeah doesn't look like much at all will happen in 2022 other than hiring some staff and working on some peripheral agreements. That's a bit disappointing.

[SteelTown]

More buildings razed for Hamilton LRT — but will they be replaced with new affordable housing?
Advocates warn the city needs to protect land for affordable housing along the rapidly developing light rail corridor before it’s too late.

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-re...lton-light-rail-transit-latest-news.html

Demolition of buildings in the way of Hamilton LRT is speeding up — but councillors say the conversation about using some razed land for affordable housing is moving too slowly.

Metrolinx is knocking down another 13 vacant buildings along the Main-King corridor this month — including homes, a former thrift shop, pizza joint and car wash — to make way for a resurrected $3.4-billion, 14-kilometre light-rail transit project. The latest round of demolitions began Wednesday on a former family rental home on King Street East near the CP rail spur.

At least 23 buildings — bought for the original, cancelled LRT project — have already been razed in recent years and negotiations to buy or expropriate up to 30 additional properties should start “in the coming weeks,” said the transit agency.

[Hawrylyshyn]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

More buildings razed for Hamilton LRT — but will they be replaced with new affordable housing?
Advocates warn the city needs to protect land for affordable housing along the rapidly developing light rail corridor before it’s too late.

https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-re...lton-light-rail-transit-latest-news.html

Demolition of buildings in the way of Hamilton LRT is speeding up — but councillors say the conversation about using some razed land for affordable housing is moving too slowly.

Metrolinx is knocking down another 13 vacant buildings along the Main-King corridor this month — including homes, a former thrift shop, pizza joint and car wash — to make way for a resurrected $3.4-billion, 14-kilometre light-rail transit project. The latest round of demolitions began Wednesday on a former family rental home on King Street East near the CP rail spur.

At least 23 buildings — bought for the original, cancelled LRT project — have already been razed in recent years and negotiations to buy or expropriate up to 30 additional properties should start “in the coming weeks,” said the transit agency.

Maybe city staff should stop throwing all kinds of unnecessary barriers at developers looking to build apartments/condos that include affordable housing

[ScreamingViking]

I think it's good to start thinking about the possibilities, and having those conversations. It feels like there's an expectation that immediate action can happen though. The design hasn't been finalized yet, so how can anyone entirely know what's potentially going to be open for new development including affordable housing?

Even if there are "surplus" properties not needed for the LRT, they may not be available until after construction (e.g., used for staging and construction-related activities). So we're talking about years here.

Want to get moving on this? How about the hundreds of properties around the city, never mind adjacent to proposed station locations and along the LRT route, that could be ok'd for redevelopment much sooner?

[SteelTown]

They've started demolishing buildings along Main St West near Longwood yesterday. A house is already gone.

[SteelTown]

All of the buildings slated for demolition along Main St W have been completely levelled. This will be the future Longwood/Main St B-Line stop.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton's first significant LRT project? They are finally working on the Longwood bridge over the QEW. I believe the budget for this is coming from the LRT project. I think the budget was around $45 million for the bridge alone.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Hamilton's first significant LRT project? They are finally working on the Longwood bridge over the QEW. I believe the budget for this is coming from the LRT project. I think the budget was around $45 million for the bridge alone.

Nope, it's just in such bad condition it can't wait for LRT: https://www.maureenwilson.ca/lwbridge22

[TheHonestMaple]

I do find it strange that they're just rehabilitating that bridge, when the LRT plans call for it's complete demolition and a completely new bridge. More bureaucratic incompetence leading to wasted tax payer money?

[Innsertnamehere]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

I do find it strange that they're just rehabilitating that bridge, when the LRT plans call for it's complete demolition and a completely new bridge. More bureaucratic incompetence leading to wasted tax payer money?

That bridge will still be needed likely for another 6-7 years before it is demolished, and if life-safety can't wait that long, that's the way it is.

[ScreamingViking]

This doesn't seem like major rehab work -- it's only 4-5 months long; expansion joints need to be replaced on a regular basis, paving and concrete repair need doing now and then. And yeah, if it needs to be done it needs to be done.

Wouldn't surprise me if a new bridge gets built next to the old for the LRT. Whether it completely replaces the old one may be a decision-point (e.g., could it be restored and kept for active transportation? the piers do limit what could be done for the 403 so maybe it has to go regardless). Keeping the old one open during LRT construction as long as possible would be ideal, otherwise it will be a major hassle for the west-end... King/Main are the only reasonable alternative route options to/from Westdale and Mac.