Metrolinx, MTO will pitch Hamilton LRT to city councillors next week

Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation will present to a divided city council next week on a potential light-rail transit (LRT) system in Hamilton. 

The federal and provincial governments are offering Hamilton $3.4 billion — each covering $1.7 billion —  to build an LRT system in the city. But councillors seem to be split, with some worrying about how much it will cost the city to run and others calling for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system instead. 

Both governments have said the money is only for LRT. If Hamilton doesn't take the deal, the offer disappears. 

City manager Janette Smith said CEO and president of Metrolinx Phil Verster, as well as assistant deputy minister agency oversight and programs division James Nowlan  will "definitely" be delegating at the city's general issues committee meeting on Wednesday, June 2. 

"I will say, I'm pleasantly surprised that they've agreed to appear next month," said Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson. 

The system would deliver a 14-kilometre line from McMaster University to Eastgate Square. The line would run alternately down King and Main streets.

The LRT's origins date back to 2007, when the city used a Metrolinx grant for an environmental assessment. In 2015, the previous Ontario Liberals committed $1 billion to the project. 

Metrolinx had already spent $165 million on LRT before it was cancelled by the provincial government in December 2019. Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney had said the project went over budget and that Hamilton couldn't afford the costs. 

In February, the Ontario PC provincial government pledged $1 billion, as long as the federal government would chip in too. 

Should the project move forward, Smith said she believes Metrolinx would restart and fund an office at the city, though this might be something that would be clarified at next week's meeting. 

"That's certainly something they've done for other similar projects," she said.