$1.6B LRT line to link Mississauga, Brampton

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Updated 

Just before Ontario’s Finance Minister expressed his disappointment with the Feds and their decision to set aside $750 million for transit, the province’s Liberal government announced that it will be spending $1.6 billion to build a new, light rail line linking Brampton and Mississauga.

The line will stretch 23 kms, have 26 stops and connect to existing transit systems. Construction will begin in 2018 with the completion date set for 2022.

Steven Del Duca, Ontario’s Transportation Minister says “it’s extremely important for us to build a seamless and transparent transportation network right across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. Which will include investments that will be made in the City of Toronto, that will be made in 905 communities, that will be made in Hamilton.”

Some worry that the committment to build the Hurontario LRT line will affect Hamilton’s bid for light rail transit. If you add the $1.6 billion cost to the $13.5 billion Go Rail expansion announced last week, then there is less than a billion dollars left in the transit pot.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger claims that is all Hamilton would need, “a billion is enough for Hamilton”, he says, “what I need to worry about is waiting to see what the province is going to announce.”

That decision will be made very soon. The Premier has promised to let everyone know, one way or another, by Thursday’s budget.