The proposed Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) project in Ontario will move forward with a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) line planned between McMaster and Eastgate. The estimated C$3.4 billion (US$2.79 billion) project costs will be split between the government of Canada and the province of Ontario, which will each fund up to C$1.7 billion (US$1.4 billion).
It has been a bumpy ride for the proposed project that saw the province of Ontario commit C$1 billion to build light-rail in Hamilton only to see the province cancel the project in late 2019 citing rising costs – a move Hamilton elected officials called a betrayal.
The province, which stood by its financial commitment to the city, established a task force to develop a series of recommendations of where the investment could be applied. Among the recommendations, the task force noted LRT and bus rapid transit should be considered equally. A follow-up technical report determined an LRT option with only provincial funds would not allow a route long enough to benefit Hamilton residents to be built and urged the federal government to contribute. The project was added to a list of priority transit projects by the province. The original four also received a federal funding commitment earlier this week.
“From our original C$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 Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney. “Ontario has increased our investment to C$1.7 billion to ensure that we can get Hamiltonians a 14-kilometer 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.”
Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna called the project a “once in a generation investment opportunity.”
"I'm very happy that the federal government is stepping up with a C$1.7 billion federal investment to support the full LRT line in Hamilton from McMaster University to Eastgate at Centennial Park. This investment is the only shovel ready major transit project in Hamilton. [It] will help kickstart the economy and create good jobs. It will reduce commute times and help workers, students, seniors and families across Hamilton and beyond get where they need to go faster, cleaner and in affordable ways.”
The project will connect McMaster University to downtown Hamilton and Eastgate at Centennial Park in the rapidly growing city. It will serve 17 stops along its route and have an average end-to-end commute time of 32 minutes.
“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.”
The government of Canada explained the federal contribution has been designated for LRT investment only and is subject to approval by the Treasury Board of Canada. Additionally, the project's life-cycle costs will be covered by the government of Ontario.
The funding commitment for the Hamilton LRT is the third transit project the government of Canada has contributed to this week, following news that it would contribute up to 40 percent of the province’s four priority transit projects and invest toward the purchase of streetcars for the Toronto Transit Commission. In total, the government of Canada committed more than C$12.2 billion (US$10.02 billion) to Ontario transit projects this week.
Based on May 13, 2021 conversion rate of C$1 = US$0.82
