Ontario and Canada investing $3.4B in Hamilton LRT
by CM Staff
Ontario created a Hamilton Transportation Task Force to call on the federal government to work to help shape the future of high priority transit in Hamilton.
HAMILTON – The Ontario government is welcoming a new federal funding commitment of $1.7 billion to advance the Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, which matches Ontario’s $1.7 billion investment into the project for a total investment of $3.4 billion to support construction. Through this partnership, the province and federal government are taking a step towards advancing this shovel-ready LRT project that will offer frequent and reliable connections on the 14-kilometre line from Eastgate Square through downtown Hamilton to McMaster University.
The funding announcement was made on May 13 by Caroline Mulroney, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, and Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
“From our original $1 billion capital commitment for the project to our strong calls over the past two years for a federal funding commitment, we have remained focused on delivering rapid transit for the people of Hamilton,” said Minister Mulroney. “Ontario has increased our investment to $1.7 billion to ensure that we can get Hamiltonians a 14-kilometre line that connects Eastgate Square through to McMaster University, and to ensure that we can get shovels in the ground as soon as possible for this critical transit project. The LRT will improve connectivity and create thousands of sustainable jobs for the future.”
“We are very excited the Hamilton LRT project is back and the people of Hamilton will get the project they need, all the way from McMaster to Eastgate,” said Phil Verster, President and CEO of Metrolinx. “The LRT will bring safe, accessible travel to help get Hamilton moving, both locally, and as part of a great regional transit network that connects right into GO Transit.”
Ontario created a Hamilton Transportation Task Force and called on the federal government to work to help shape the future of high priority transit in Hamilton.
In November 2020, a technical review indicated that a $1 billion LRT system funded solely with provincial capital would not be of sufficient length to be a viable project to benefit the people of Hamilton and required federal funding to create a feasible project.
“Infrastructure Ontario looks forward to supporting the delivery of this important project for Hamilton. IO is partnering with Metrolinx to deliver a number of transformative transit projects across the GTHA, including GO Expansion, the Ontario Line and subway extensions connecting communities farther north, east and west.” said Michael Lindsay, President and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario.
