Hurontario-Main LRT Project Moves Ahead

The cities of Mississauga and Brampton have recently completed preliminary design and environmental assessment work for the Hurontario-Main Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project from Port Credit into Brampton to initiate the Ontario Ministry of Environment Transportation Project Assessment Process (TPAP).  As a priority Next Wave project of Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan, The Big Move, Metrolinx will be joining the municipalities as a co-proponent through this next phase of work.

“It is wonderful we have reached this stage,” said Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion. “Our residents and businesses will greatly benefit from having light rail transit on this corridor. This project is about moving people, giving them good transit options and  bringing new life and opportunities to the corridor. We know light rail is well suited for this corridor – for the people travelling, living and working on it. People and businesses want the gridlock issue solved. We look forward to working with Brampton and Metrolinx to bring light rail transit to this important corridor.”

“Brampton is committed to creating a world-class transit system that is convenient, reliable and modern. A strong city is built on connections, and we want to get those connections right, for businesses, workers, students, GO train commuters and families,” said Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell. “We look forward to continuing to work with Mississauga and Metrolinx to find solutions that meet our respective needs.”

“Metrolinx is pleased to be joining the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga as a co-proponent in the EA process.  This project will further link together expanded GO service, MiWay and Zum so people can move throughout the region.” – Bruce McCuaig, President & CEO, Metrolinx.

Transportation Project Assessment Process

The Cities of Mississauga and Brampton have completed what is known in transportation planning as the pre-consultation stage for the project and now have a design that will move through a provincial environmental assessment process. A ‘Notice of Commencement’ has been issued under the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) that includes going out to the public for comments, looking at potential impacts and how to manage them.  Components of the TPAP include examining impacts to transportation and utilities, socio-economic, natural and cultural environment.  Information from this process will be made available to the public and the Minister of the Environment as an Environmental Project Report (EPR) in June 2014.

Six-month timeline for the TPAP includes
• 120 days for consultation on positive or negative environmental impacts and preparation of the EPR
• 30 Days for public/government agency review and comment on the EPR
• 35 Days for the Minister of Environment to determine if the project can proceed or requires more work

During the TPAP, the project team will continue to work on the design to be ready for project funding. Staff will report to both Mississauga and Brampton Councils, and the Metrolinx Board of Directors, once the 120 day TPAP period is complete.

The LRT design has more than 20 stops connecting people with transit systems and key destinations in Mississauga and Brampton to get them where they need to go.

March Public Meeting
A third and final Public Information Centre (PIC) for the Hurontario-Main Light Rail (LRT) will be held in March 2014. These meetings will feature display boards and handouts regarding various aspects of the LRT project. Project team members will be on hand to answer questions.

About Hurontario-Main LRT Project
The City of Mississauga, the City of Brampton and Metrolinx have a vision for a vibrant Hurontario-Main corridor from Port Credit to downtown Brampton. In 2011, the cities’ Master Plan noted that Light Rail Transit (LRT) is the preferred form of transit along the Hurontario-Main corridor. This project is also a priority project in The Big Move, the Regional Transportation Plan, and included in Metrolinx’s Next Wave of projects recommended for funding through the Investment Strategy. An LRT system, providing key transportation connections to the cities, both north/south and with the GO Transit system, has been identified as a catalyst for sustainable, well-managed growth. The Hurontario-Main LRT Project is now in the Transit Project Assessment (TPAP) Phase, which includes design and technical studies supported by stakeholder and public consultations.

About Mississauga
As Canada’s sixth largest city, Mississauga is home to 741,000 residents and more than 54,000 businesses, including more than 60 Fortune 500 companies with Canadian head offices or major divisional head offices. A diverse, progressive and award-winning municipality located on the shores of Lake Ontario in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, Mississauga is “Leading Today for Tomorrow” by focusing on delivering services, implementing its Strategic Plan, delivering value for money and maintaining infrastructure.

About Brampton
The 9th largest city in Canada, Brampton has a successful, well-diversified economy and is home to more than 8,000 businesses. The City continues to retain a Triple ‘A’ credit rating by Standard & Poor’s, reflecting its successful economy. Brampton celebrates its diverse population that represents people from 209 distinct ethnic backgrounds who speak 89 different languages. Offering more than 6,000 acres of parkland, Brampton takes pride in being known as the Flower City of Canada. Brampton has been designated since 2007 as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization. For more information, visit www.brampton.ca.

About Metrolinx
Metrolinx was created in 2006 as part of the plan to deliver long-term sustainable transportation and better transit for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). In 2008, The Big Move is a 25-year transportation plan for coordinated, integrated transportation and transit in the region. It’s vision, goals and objectives are rooted in a high quality of life, a thriving, sustainable environment, and a strong prosperous economy for the GTHA.

Metrolinx is building transit today that will transform the way the GTHA moves. Progress is being made on The Big Move’s First Wave projects – a $16 billion investment that will deliver valued, everyday results for commuters.

Metrolinx has an ambitious plan to continue to build and invest in transit. Next Wave projects, such as the Hurontario-Main LRT, will create over 400 km of new and enhanced transit and transportation infrastructure across the region at a cost of $34 billion which is not currently funded and subject to an Investment Strategy