The city of Mississauga, Ontario, has received C$113.5 million (US$89.31 million) for 12 transit projects through joint federal and provincial funding sources. When added to the municipal share, the transit projects represent a combined C$158 million (US$124.32 million) investment.
The government of Canada is investing more than C$62 million (US$48.78 million) in these projects through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan, which calls for the investment of more than C$180 billion (US$141.63 billion) over 12 years in infrastructure projects, including public transit. The government of Ontario is providing more than C$51.5 million (US$40.52 million) and the city of Mississauga is contributing more than C$44.5 million (US$35.01 million).
"Investing in Mississauga public transit is an essential part of growing an economy and community where people can move around in cheaper, cleaner and faster ways,” said Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna.
The 12 transit projects to be funded include enhancements to stops, shelters and terminals, hardware and software upgrades, farebox refurbishments, vehicle rehabilitations and investments for new service.
“I’m delighted with today’s announcement. It demonstrates that both the federal and provincial government understand the pressing need to invest in Mississauga’s public transit infrastructure as the city continues to grow. The investment will help us improve passenger safety and build a more reliable transit system,” said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie.
More than 86 percent of the joint funding will support three major projects: A new bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor along Lakeshore Road, major bus rehabilitations for the MiWay fleet and stop amenities for priority bus corridors.
The C$55.5 million (US$43.67 million) BRT corridor will see the construction of a dedicated two-way route on Lakeshore Road with three new stations between East Avenue and Deta Road, as well as separated bike lanes and sidewalks. The new BRT lanes will support a growing population along the Lakeshore Road corridor.
The C$44.1 million (US$34.7 million) MiWay bus rehabilitation calls for the replacement of engines, transmissions and energy storage systems that will extend the useful life of the city's bus fleet while improving the quality and safety of the transit system.
The third major project is expected to cost C$36.8 million (US$28.96 million) to install 88 new transit stop shelters along four Frequent Rapid Transit Network Bus Priority Corridors in Mississauga to improve accessibility and comfort for transit customers. The large transit stop shelters will be fully heated with accessible doors and new digital signage, improving the quality, safety and accessibility of the public transit system.
The other nine transit projects include:
- Intelligent Transportation System hardware and software upgrade on buses
- Installation of on-street bus shelters
- Farebox refurbishments
- Bus terminal shelter enhancements
- Replacing stop markers with a new accessible design
- Enhanced customer partitions on the Mississauga Transitway
- Transit terminal upgrades
- Purchase of transit support vehicles
- New and refurbished bus stop pads
“With this investment, we’ll be able to build sustainable infrastructure for our transit system and help stimulate our local economy by connecting people through reliable transit,” said Mississauga City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer Paul Mitcham.
