The not-yet-finished Hazel McCallion LRT in Mississauga is set to receive a double boost from the Ford government, with plans to add to the route in both Mississauga and Brampton.
Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria has requested provincial transit agency Metrolinx urgently prepare a business case for the move.The instruction signals the start of two major infrastructure commitments from the province to extend the light rail route set to run from Port Credit along Hurontario Street.
Metrolinx is now being asked to rapidly work out how it can re-add a previously cancelled loop through downtown Mississauga, while also extending the line north into downtown Brampton
“Peel is one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions. Our government will continue to invest historic amounts in connected transportation there — and across the province — so that Ontarians can spend less time commuting and more time at home, doing what matters most to them,” a spokesperson for the Ford government said.
The transit agency has until Feb. 5 to complete an initial business case to build the two additions to the route, according to a letter obtained by Global News, while it has also been told to begin preparations to seek companies to design and build them.
Initial business cases are generally designed to outline high-level cost estimates, design options and how new projects could impact the surrounding community.
The decision to extend the project before the original line is even finished is a lesson learned from the years of delays seen on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, the letter from Sarkaria to Metrolinx said.