Shovel ready

[hamiltonguy]

Of course they won't be under fire for "lack of oversight". McGuinty is too slick to ever have stuff stick on him when it should. The fact that he won last election without so much as a sweat really worries me. He is neither fiscally responsible, nor effective at achieving success in changing Ontario to a more sustainable future.

[SteelTown]

Ontario bumps up stimulus spending

March 24, 2009
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/535735

The Ontario government says it is doubling its commitment to infrastructure projects over the next two years.

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the $27.5-billion infusion -- up from a previously promised $13.7 billion -- for roads, schools, hospitals and public transit yesterday during a visit to a Toronto hospital.

"It's a big number but, you know what? It needs to be done. Inaction is not an option," said McGuinty.

Add in Ottawa's $5-billion contribution to infrastructure projects and the total comes to $32.5 billion.

There are no specifics attached to the cash aimed at creating or supporting 300,000 new jobs in Ontario, which has been hit hard by a slumping manufacturing sector. But when the province previously announced its $13.7-billion commitment, a spokesperson said it would cover the Metrolinx transit projects in Hamilton and the GTA.

Other projects awaiting funding in Hamilton include plans to build a new elementary school in Waterdown and construction of a 300-bed hospital at the site of the Centre for Mountain Health Services.

The new funding includes $9 billion for transportation, $7 billion for hospitals and health projects, $4 billion for education and $850 million for municipal infrastructure.

[SteelTown]

With funding in place Hamilton could have LRT construction starting in 2011. B-Line is in the top 15 priorities from the Big Move recommendation. That along with Lakeshore line electrification.

[highwater]

When's the final decision on whether it's LRT or BRT for B line?

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by highwater

When's the final decision on whether it's LRT or BRT for B line?

Metrolinx is currently conducting a full benefits analysis. They're supposed to release their recommendation in July. Given their criteria, I would be extremely surprised if they decided against LRT for the B-Line.

[matt602]

The city is officially pushing for LRT, but ultimately it's up to Metrolinx. As ryan said though, it would be pretty surprising if they went against LRT at this point.

A-Line is a little harder to say. That one could still go either way.

[omro]

Originally Posted by matt602

The city is officially pushing for LRT, but ultimately it's up to Metrolinx. As ryan said though, it would be pretty surprising if they went against LRT at this point.

A-Line is a little harder to say. That one could still go either way.

When the B-Line is a success, it will be harder to justify BRT for the A-Line.

[coalminecanary]

Originally Posted by omro

What would people like $130, spent on? How would you divy it up?

Personally, though it's unglam, I think the sewage system is important and stops it being used as a reason not to do other more glam things in the future.

I have a better idea - start by making it illegal to connect your downspout to the sewers (especially in lower city). Conduct inspections when the water company comes to take their readings. Encourage rainbarrel use. An ounce of prevention....

[omro]

Originally Posted by coalminecanary

I have a better idea - start by making it illegal to connect your downspout to the sewers (especially in lower city). Conduct inspections when the water company comes to take their readings. Encourage rainbarrel use. An ounce of prevention....

Great idea!

Better yet, a combination of the two.

[SteelTown]

Apparently a list of specific projects to be funded as an infrastructure project will be detailed in the upcoming budget, Thursday. I hear there are a few goodies for McMaster.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by matt602

A-Line is a little harder to say. That one could still go either way.

It's also at least a decade away on the current timetable, so a lot could change by the time they get around to their analysis on the A Line.

Originally Posted by omro

When the B-Line is a success, it will be harder to justify BRT for the A-Line.

Quite true, but the horizon is very far off, in terms of provincial politics, and a lot can happen either way in the meantime. We could end up with a neo-Harris government that decides to kill Metrolinx entirely in favour of corporate tax cuts. 0_o

That's why it's disappointing that Metrolinx and the Province essentially decided to put off figuring out a long-term funding framework (e.g. through the use of highway tolls). Instead they're just going to build projects until they deplete their current funding envelope (~$16 billion) and sort of hope something else comes along by the time they run out of money to pay for the rest of the RTP (another ~$35 billion).

[SteelTown]

Infrastructure Stimulus Fund: $496 million worth
http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyre...imulusFund.pdf

A few winners I see:

Hamilton Airport
Road Reconstruction
Energy Retrofit especially HECFI venues
Auchmar - Curatorial Centre
Dundurn Castle - $10 million
A new Westmount Recreation Centre (YAY!)

[highwater]

Thrilled to see Auchmar on the list, but how much? $10 million seems like an awful lot for Dundurn. I'd like to see that more evenly split between the two.

[SteelTown]

$8,470,00 for Auchmar - turn the place into a Hamilton Civic Curatorial and Welcome Centre.

Also another good thing on the list is 95 King St East (former stripper joint) - $4 million to renovate the building for housing.

For Dundurn I hope it involves fixing and improving the trail and the green space around the Castle.

[adam]

What kind of road reconstruction does it include? Is it just resurfacing? What about 2 way conversions? There would be a lot more successful businesses along Main and King if they were converted to 2 way. Resurfacing on the other hand, won't create any extra jobs except for the repavers themselves...

[SteelTown]

Both resurfacing and reconstruction. Examples of reconstruction:

Beach Boulevard $2.5 million
Concession St $3.4 million
King St (Dundas) $3.2 million
Linc (I imagine that's to repair the road from the 403 ramp to the Linc - $5 million)
Mountain Brow Boulevard $2.5 million
Queenston $2.4 million
York Road $2 million.

No major road construction for downtown Hamilton area.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton Politicians Hope To Stimulate Economy
Ken Mann
4/27/2009

The City of Hamilton is submitting a 220 million dollar wish list.

Local politicians have finalized a series of projects which they will be requesting as priorities for federal and provincial economic stimulus money.

The upper levels of government are expected to pay two-thirds of the cost of the projects. The city will cover its portion through reserves, development charges and debt.

The list is heavy on road rehabilitation and water plant upgrades, but it also includes softer services like the construction of a curatorial center at Auchmar House and a new EMS training center for police, fire and ambulance personnel.

Mayor Eisenberger hopes to start recieving approvals to move ahead with the projects in the coming weeks. He notes that city staff developed the list with federal and provincial funding criteria in mind.

The goal is to create thousands of short-term construction jobs and to support the economy as soon as possible.

[adam]

All the money needed to resurface roads should come from gas revenues and subsidies from the companies that produce the vehicles. Why should someone who walks to work or ride their bicycle have to subsidize something they don't use?

There should be an option as to what kind of public space you'd like your tax dollars to go into... public spaces for automobiles, or public spaces for people and communities.

If the roads are in bad shape and everyone who uses them wants them redone, make a toll road. Or better yet, increase tax at the gas pump. What about the auto industry subsidizing roads for their products?

[SteelTown]

City drafts $400m wish list
150 projects in the offing for stimulus cash

April 28, 2009
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/556098

Hamilton council faces the dilemma that perplexes children every Christmas: Do you ask Santa for everything you want or just your top picks?

You don't want to appear greedy, but what if there's a little extra room on the sleigh?

The city is banking on Santa, or rather senior levels of government, feeling generous this year. By Friday, municipalities must submit their wish lists for infrastructure funding as part of the economic stimulus plans.

Hamilton has no idea how much it could get, but estimates it may be around $130 million in total from the federal and provincial governments, based on population.

"It could be less, it could be more," said Tony Tollis, acting head of finance.

Just to be safe, the city is submitting a prioritized, $400-million list that ranges from water projects to road repairs.

Several councillors debated yesterday if the city should shorten its list to avoid senior governments selecting projects that are less of a priority, but look better politically.

"I'm really worried we are going to see some picking and choosing," said Councillor Terry Whitehead.

Tollis said staff don't want to risk the city losing out on additional funding and plan to send a priority list with nearly 150 requests.

Other councillors questioned why staff ranked neighbourhood road repairs lower than projects such as $10 million for restoring the Auchmar mansion to create a curatorial centre, and $10 million for upgrading traffic lights.

Councillor Scott Duvall noted some residents have been waiting more than a decade to see their streets fixed. It's inexcusable, he argued, to place those projects as a lower priority on the request list.

"I'm not sure this is a list the public would put together," agreed Councillor Lloyd Ferguson.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger urged council not to politicize the list, noting staff were forced to work with the governments' criteria.

"This is a golden opportunity," he said. "I hope we don't trade it off for parochial projects."

Council agreed to move smaller road projects up the list, however they still fall below the cutoff if Hamilton only gets $200 million.

The city will be required to contribute one third of the funding, and projects must be completed within two years. Hamilton's estimated $65-million share would be on top of projects already planned. Tollis said the city will be able to afford the extra cost through reserves, rates and "rejigging" its capital budget.

The city expects to know within a few weeks which projects are selected. An additional opportunity to apply for recreation funding is expected soon.


Top 10 priorities

Hamilton is submitting nearly 150 funding requests. Here are the top 10 priorities:

1. Water treatment plant upgrades --$42 million

2. Extending Trinity Church Road -- $10.5 million

3. New emergency services training facility and operations centre -- $25 million

4. Renovations to First Place seniors' housing -- $5 million

5. Road repairs, Beach Boulevard -- $2.5 million

6. Road repairs, Concession Street -- $3.4 million

7. Road repairs, the Linc -- $5 million

8. Road repairs, King Street, Dundas -- $3.2 million

9. Road repairs, Gray Road -- $4.2 million

10. Road repairs, Mud Street -- $2 million

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Hamilton is submitting nearly 150 funding requests. Here are the top 10 priorities:

Talk about vision: of the top ten priorities, seven are roadwork.