Metrolinx announces major re-route of Hamilton LRT project

Metrolinx has announced a major reroute of the Hamilton LRT design that will see trains travelling on a reconstructed Main Street Bridge.

These new plans will have Metrolinx deserting its original plans to build a bridge dedicated solely to train traffic across Highway 403 and reallocating time and resources to the reconstruction of the Main Street West vehicle bridge.

The provincial agency says that the redesign was prompted by the city’s commitment to convert Main Street from a one-way to a two-way roadway through the downtown core.

The proposed refinement plans will see the reconstruction of the Main Street bridge, along with the reconstruction of both ramps of Highway 403 and a full replacement of Frid Street.

Metrolinx says that residents will soon see the first shovels in the ground for the new 14-kilometre LRT system as crews begin to relocate water mains and other larger procurement efforts to allow for more significant construction to take place.

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The agency says the redesign will ultimately lead to “positive outcomes for the community” in areas such as environmental sustainability, the revitalization of aging infrastructure, help to realize the two-way conversion of Main Street and improve LRT operations while simultaneously “saving time and money.”

The project that is being funded in part by Ottawa and Queens Park had until the end of 2023 to finalize plans for the long-awaited system before construction is expected to officially begin in early 2024.

This followed the original cancellation of the system in 2019 before it was resurrected in May 2021 with the announcement of the funding partnership between the province and the federal government.

Housing advocates in the area have voiced concerns over displacements as Metrolinx began collecting properties for the project.

In June, the transit agency said it had collected 60 properties. At that time, it was reported that 43 had been demolished, while 35 full buyouts and 300 partial buyouts remained to be done.

The city has yet to comment on the announcement of the redesign.

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