Federal government will help pay for a Hamilton rapid transit project

The federal government says it will help pay for "one rapid transit project" in Hamilton, but it's unclear whether the money will support a light-rail transit (LRT) or bus rapid transit system along the lower city's main corridor. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement in a media briefing on Tuesday, saying his government would contribute $12 billion to transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. 

During a joint provincial-federal media briefing later on, Catherine McKenna, federal minister of infrastructure and communities, spoke about how LRT would fit the bill, but said people would have to wait for more details. 

"I think the Hamilton LRT is a shovel-ready project. That's the condition for this funding ... Really, stay tuned. I think it's a very good announcement for the people of Hamilton," she said. 

McKenna announced that $10.7 billion would go toward four priority subway projects in the GTA. She said more information on Hamilton would be coming later this week. 

"Stay tuned, I'll see you in the Hammer, I think on Thursday," she said. 

"We'll see you at our next announcement," echoed Caroline Mulroney, Ontario's minister of transportation. 

Hamilton's mayor says 'assume LRT'

Trudeau didn't specify whether he meant LRT or BRT during his announcement, but did disclose the route. 

"We're going to provide major support for rapid transit in Hamilton, for a line that will go from McMaster University in the west, through downtown, all the way to Eastgate Centennial Park in Stoney Creek," he said. 

Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who hadn't received details ahead of the announcement, said one could assume support for LRT "even though he didn't use the words." Eisenberger said he was "hopeful" that was the case. 

"There is no other project between Eastgate and McMaster that is designed and shovel-ready and is a transit project," he said. "I'm pretty confident that the reality is they've gone with LRT." 

The mayor also said he was "delighted" that some money had been set aside, but didn't know the specifics. 

"We're getting our fair share, and that's certainly something that I've been pushing and have been advocated for, and will continue to advocate for going forward," he said.

A new possibility

The announcement signals a new possibility for an LRT project that's been in the works since 2007, when city council used a Metrolinx grant to study the project's feasibility.

The system was due to run 14 kilometres alternately down King and Main from McMaster University to Eastgate Square, although its route has been modified over the years. Some city councillors oppose the plan.

In 2015, the then-Liberal provincial government led by Kathleen Wynne announced $1 billion to build the system. But the new Doug Ford PC government cancelled the project in late 2019, citing cost overruns. 

Instead, the province formed an independent task force last year, which recommended rapid transit. In February, the province revived the project, saying it would still contribute $1 billion to it, but the federal government would have to chip in too. That announcement was for a revised LRT project from McMaster to Gage Park.

Both the province and Mayor Fred Eisenberger have referenced private investment too. 

On Tuesday, Eisenberger said the private sector would "certainly" be part of the land development associated. 

Joseph Mancinelli, vice-president of LiUNA International, called LRT one of the most "anticipated and controversial projects" in the Hamilton area over the past few years. He hopes the announcement Thursday will be "appetizing" for city councillors who have been "all over the map" on LRT. 

"It's time to move on," he said. 

The labourers' union had been "lobbying hard," he said, and is not just excited about the construction work it will create, but also the chance to bring more people into the industry. 

Economic uplift

Keanin Loomis, president and CEO of Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, said the announcement is especially welcome as the "light at the end of the tunnel" of the pandemic brightens.

"What we need more than anything is jobs," he said, describing the need to regain momentum the city had until March of 2020. 

He listed off potential impacts, including economic uplift along the line, intensification, and underground infrastructure. 

"All of those are going to remain challenges even after the pandemic, so this is about addressing that," he said. 

Coming to fruition

Hamilton Centre MP Matthew Green said the news is "clearly welcome" with close to 15-years of work behind it. He called the project a "much needed boost for Hamilton."

Green also said it eases his worries about the project turning into a "land heist" of social housing. He said all levels of government will need to have requirements on affordability built into developments to come along the corridor. 

"It makes sense not just for climate change...but there's also a really significant opportunity to invest in the jobs and to have the spin off effects of all the community benefits," he said. 

"This might be our longest thought out project finally coming to fruition."

Eisenberger said the city's position is there will be no capital or life-cycle costs paid for by the city, and that those are to be covered by other levels of government. He referenced a signed memorandum of understanding that the day-to-day operating costs would be the city's responsibility. 

"We'll wait and see when the details come out, but I certainly hope that's the case," he said.

BRT impact

Ward 9 councillor Brad Clark isn't confident that the bill won't come back to Hamilton. He remembers councillors saying "not one penny cost" to the city. Clark said he didn't know how residents would afford operating an LRT. 

"I'm keenly interested in finding out what the projected costs are going to be to the city of Hamilton, because I don't think it's going to be free," he said. 

Instead, Clark said he thought having BRT along the B and A lines of Hamilton would "impact far more people than we would be just by having an LRT line from Eastgate to McMaster." He's asked the province to consider that option, which he says he found in a ministry report that council hasn't seen.

Despite opposition by some to the project, Eisenberger said, the reality is the project is vital and necessary to tackle public transportation and climate change. 

"Can we satisfy everyone out there? No. But I am happy that we're getting our fair shot. If the investment doesn't happen here, the investment will happen somewhere else, and Hamilton will lose out. And I'm delighted to see that the governments are stepping up and saying Hamilton deserves investment as well," he said.