Hamilton LRT

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The next big step in Hamilton’s billion dollar light rail transit system happens Monday, when city staff will present a report, outlining how to proceed with construction of the 10 year project.

Today, Donna Skelly sat down with the architect of that report, city manager Chris Murray, who shared his excitement and concerns about the next phase of Hamilton’s LRT plan.

The current design for Hamilton’s billion dollar LRT line stretches from McMaster University to Queenston Road, two parallel lines, travelling in two directions on King Street.

By eliminating two of the existing traffic lanes on one of the cities busiest roads, Murray believes drivers will find alternate routes such as Burlington, Barton or Cannon streets.

As for the future of Main Street the jury is out in terms of what will happen.

“I don’t think we can say right now whether or not we need to make Main Street a two way street. We need to do the analysis to see if that does make sense.” says Murray

Analysis that murray hopes will come from a sub-committee he is recommending council establish to deal with all things LRT.

“We are going to want to make sure that our council is there every step of the way in terms of how this thing evolves, so we will probably want to have a sub-committee established to make sure that we are as proactive as we possibly can. Engage as many people as we can as this thing starts going forward.”

“This is going to be a long process. It’s going to be ten years in the making or there abouts. To keep the community fully engaged and fully informed is the biggest issue we are going to have to deal with.” says Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

Staff will present the report to members of Hamilton council’s general issues committee on Monday.

You can find a link to that report by visiting http://hamilton.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=801&doctype=AGENDA