An historic day today in Hamilton, Ontario as the province announces $1 billion to fully fund light rail transit.
Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement at McMaster University. The money will be used to fund 100 percent of the capital costs of building an LRT line. The rail line will run from McMaster University, east on Main and West on King, to the Queenston traffic circle.
Wynne says construction on the new LRT will begin in 2019, and it will connect directly to the new West Harbour GO train station that will open this summer. She adds the province will continue talks with the city about extending the LRT line another three kilometres east to Eastgate Square.
“Decades ago, government investments in ports, canals and railroads helped bring steeltown into an era of industrial prosperity. Today we need infrastructure that drives Hamilton’s prosperity in the 21-st century economy, we need Hamilton to remain an important driver of our regional and provincial economy, and a place where people can continue to find more opportunity, and more security in life.”
“Transit connects the people of Hamilton to each other and to people of the GTHA, So it’s my great pleasure to announce today the Ontario government will be providing up to $1 billion to fund the building of new light rail transit.”
[Photo by Storm Cunningham]