Hamilton Hamilton Line B LRT | ?m | ?s | Metrolinx

McGuinty announces new transit projects

Apr 01, 2009 12:15 PM

Rob Ferguson
Queen's Park Bureau
http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/611812

Four new public transit projects for the Greater Toronto Area, including a rapid transit line on Eglinton Avenue to Pearson Airport, are getting the green light from Premier Dalton McGuinty today.

But most of the projects must still go through the environmental approvals process, the government said in a statement, so it will be next year at the earliest before construction can begin, with the exception of the York Viva bus rapid transit line.

The projects, in concert with the TTC and the regional transit agency Metrolinx, are worth $9 billion.

The first will likely involve $1.4 billion in construction on the York Viva bus rapid transit system. A first segment will be built along Highway 7 from Markham Centre to Richmond Hill Centre with completion scheduled for 2011 – the year of the next provincial election. Construction will begin in the fall as some environmental assessments have already been completed.

Other segments of the line should be finished two years later, the government said in a statement that suggested the transit projects are just as important for the troubled economy as they are for commuters.

"Our investments in transit will create jobs, help stimulate the economy and improve the air we breathe," said McGuinty.

In Scarborough, rehabilitation work and extending the rapid transit rail line to Malvern Town Centre or Markham Road is slated to be completed and in service for commuters by 2015. Construction is expected to begin next year at a cost of $1.4 billion.

The 30-kilometre rapid transit line on Eglinton could be up and running by 2016 providing construction begins next year following the environmental assessment process. The estimated cost of the project, which includes a 10-kilometre tunnel from Keele to Leslie streets, is $4.6 billion.

Further north, the Finch light rapid transit line from Humber College on Hwy 427 to Don Mills subway station in the east could be finished by 2013 if approvals allow construction to begin next year at a cost of $1.2 billion.

Today's announcement from McGuinty and Transportation Minister Jim Bradley also includes financial support for a $3 million study of potential rapid transit lines through Hamilton – an east-west line on the King and Main street corridor and a north-south line along James and Upper James. The study will be completed by next spring.
 
Ontario cash helps Hamilton move on transit
$3m in provincial study funding will focus on logistics of James-Upper James corridor

April 03, 2009
Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/542173

A $3-million infusion of transit cash is a "strong indication" the province understands the needs of Hamilton, says Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

The funds are slated to help the city push forward on two proposed rapid transit lines, one on the King-Main corridor and the other on the James-Upper James corridor.

"We are clearly positioning ourselves to be part of the ... $11.5-billion Move Ontario funding envelope" that still has $2.5-billion in it, Eisenberger said. Hamilton's two projects are estimated to cost $1 billion.

The new $3 million is part of $9 billion in transit funding announced earlier this week by Premier Dalton McGuinty.

The lion's share of the pot, $7.2 billion, went to projects in Toronto, which are closer to starting construction than either of Hamilton's rapid transit lines. Another $1.4 billion was allocated to York Region, north of Toronto.

Bob Nichols, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation, said in an e-mail that Hamilton received the money to do work that will help it determine the potential for rapid transit, either light rail -- which council favours -- or buses. The money will help finalize plans for the corridors, he said.

"Decisions on future transit infrastructure funding will be made through the province's capital planning process and in the context of (the) Metrolinx regional transportation plan," Nichols said.

Eisenberger said the amount of cash the city got is "consistent with the way we've positioned our interests ... fully understanding that projects that are ready to go should go."

To date, Hamilton has focused the bulk of its work on the King-Main line, which is ready to be constructed first.

That proposal is now undergoing an analysis by the regional transportation body Metrolinx, which needs to give the thumbs-up before the line moves ahead.

Jill Stephen, director of strategic and environmental planning with the city, said the new funds will help with background work on the trickier James-Upper James corridor.

That work needs to be done before the project can be evaluated by Metrolinx.

"The escarpment provides a bit of a challenge for getting up and down, and the B-line (King-Main) is relatively flat," she said.

"So we want to make sure that we look at the lines together to see how we can co-ordinate all of the efforts."

Stephen said about $600,000 has been spent for work on the King-Main line.

Nicholas Kevlahan, spokesperson for Hamilton Light Rail, a residents' group advocating for light rail transit (LRT), said the cash from the province is a good sign.

"I think the fact that they're giving the city this amount of money when they know the city's pushing for LRT is a positive sign," he said.

City staff are planning to hold public information sessions in June to provide citizens with an update.

The Metrolinx board will make a decision on the city's King-Main line in July.
 
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I can't wait for the S.R. to go back into HSR. A route like King/Main is perfect for light rail. I do think the Mountain may be better served by lite-BRT (Acceleride style, with queue jumps and some more priority measures than Viva) because of the dispersed trip generators on the Mountain.
 
ShonTron said:
I can't wait for the S.R. to go back into HSR. A route like King/Main is perfect for light rail. I do think the Mountain may be better served by lite-BRT (Acceleride style, with queue jumps and some more priority measures than Viva) because of the dispersed trip generators on the Mountain.
Click to expand...

I second that.
 
Thirded. Do you think a western terminus in Dundas would be viable, or would you rather have it at McMaster?
 
dunkalunk said:
Thirded. Do you think a western terminus in Dundas would be viable, or would you rather have it at McMaster?
Click to expand...

I would stop the western end at University Plaza due to the lack of current and potential customers in the old town Dundas, not to mention the extra cost of extending the line all those kilometers.
 
City moves to secure light rail land

April 07, 2009
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
(Apr 7, 2009)

The city is looking to spend $500,000 to get first dibs on land to support its proposed light rail transit system.

The public works committee voted yesterday to allow staff to start negotiations for land for a maintenance facility.

The $500,000 cost will only give the city first right of refusal on the undisclosed property. More money would be needed for the purchase if the rail plan moves ahead.

"It just secures the property," said Jill Stephen, director of strategic and environmental planning. "It's just one more step in the process."

The city won't find out until the summer if its $1-billion proposal for light rail transit is approved by Metrolinx. Council has selected rail as its top pick, ahead of rapid buses.

Stephen said the board of Metrolinx, the regional transit authority, will make decisions on timing and funding in July.

Staff plan to report back to council in the fall. Only then would any land purchases proceed.

The location is confidential.

Councillors Lloyd Ferguson and David Mitchell voted against locking up the land.

The purchase will only be necessary if Hamilton is approved for light rail, said Ferguson, noting the facility isn't needed if the city opts for rapid buses.

Plus, he added, the city might have to change the light rail route if Hamilton is part of a winning Pan Am Games bid.

"I think it's premature at this point until some other decisions get made," Mitchell agreed. "Spending money before you really know is my main concern."

The proposal goes to council for final approval next week.

nmacintyre@thespec.com

905-526-3299
 
It's nice to see the City is taking proactive steps.

Hopefully in July for my Birthday Metrolinx will agree with LRT for the B-Line and have funding available.
 
LRTHam.jpg
 
Latest Newsletter from the Rapid Transit Office.....

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyr...FCA225C5E096/0/RTNewsletterApril200985x11.pdf

Phase 3 Studies

The Rapid Transit Team recently completed more than 10 different studies including:
• Archeology & Built and Cultural Landscapes;
• Natural Environment;
• Subsurface Infrastructure Review;
• Technology Review;
• Economic Uplift Potential Study and
• Additional Transportation studies.

All of the studies focus on the B-Line and Light Rail Transit as the preferred technology. The focus of the recent studies begins to look at routing options for Light Rail Transit through Downtown Hamilton and attempts to identify any "red-flags" along the corridor.

In addition to the operation of Light Rail Transit one-way on Main/King Streets, as identified as part of Hamilton’s Rapid Transit Feasibility Study Phase 1 (previously presented to the public in Spring 2008), the Rapid Transit Team is investigating other alignments including:

• Contra-flow on Main (one-way traffic eastbound with two-way LRT operation)
• Contra-flow on King (one-way traffic westbound with two-way LRT operation)
• LRT on Main Street with two-way traffic
• LRT on King Street with two-way traffic

In addition to preparing for Metrolinx's Benefit Case Analysis, staff are also investigating alternative funding opportunities and other economic development opportunities for the City, including the tie in of LRT with the PanAM Games Bid.
 
Rapid Transit Office now has a perferred B-Line route....

lrt_route_preferred_option_2009_03.jpg


Two way LRT on it's entire route. Convert Main and King St back to two way car traffic.
 
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Public input on proposed line

June 04, 2009
The Hamilton Spectator
(Jun 4, 2009)

City staff are recommending King Street and Main Street revert back to two-way traffic for the new rapid transit line proposed to cross Hamilton between McMaster University and Eastgate Square.

Staff prefer a typical transit system running along the median of King Street, with vehicle traffic in the north and south curb lanes. The two main arteries would convert to two-way traffic between Paradise Road in the west and the Delta in the east.

Council and citizens have overwhelmingly backed a Light Rail Transit (LRT) for the line, but that still has to be decided by the provincial agency MetroLinx and it could support a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Residents can learn more about the staff preference at an open house next Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel, between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The city wants to hear what residents think about the proposed operation and also to confirm support for a LRT. It held two open houses this week, one held in west Hamilton Monday that was attended by 20 people.

Lisa Zinkewich, senior project manager, said a transit line running down the median would disrupt the least traffic and has also been shown to boost economic development.

One resident, Larry Berberick, said at an open house last night he prefers to have the system in the south curb lanes and keep Main and King as one way streets.

"My thinking is this would be safer."
 
IMPORTANT UPDATE

RapidTransitLogoWeb.jpg


The B-Line Corridor Options Survey is online and ready to be filled out!
Click Me for Survey

The Survey is open until July 31st when they will compile all the data and present it to Council in September.

ALSO, the last of three public presentations re: the B-Line Corridor will be held Tuesday, June 9th

Central B-Line Location
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Time: 3 pm to 8pm
Location: Sheraton Hotel
Heritage Room
116 King Street West, Hamilton
* brief presentations at 4pm and 6pm each night.

Presentation Display Boards

Hamilton Rapid Transit Website
 
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