The Public Record | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site (https://thepublicrecord.ca/topics/hamilton-light-rail-transit/)
“I find it almost embarrassing that there is this discussion going on there, outside of Council, that does not include Council, that has not included Council”, stated Ward 15 Councillor Judi Partridge who is a vocal opponent of the LRT project.
Since 1982, our best laid civic projects have been subject to endless debates at City Council, everyone becomes frustrated, and then a “saviour” proposal is draw on the back of a napkin.
Janette Smith says COVID is not a reason to stop building transit, ridership will rebound, Hamilton will grow, and transit such as LRT will be needed to prevent congestion.
Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Jeff Yurek says Hamilton’s LRT project is a go within its existing $1-billion dollar Provincial funding commitment.
Province has lifted the freeze on land acquisitions, and the RFP is moving forward.
Norton’s comments came in response to questions about why the City’s Economic Development Division is requesting that Downtown Hamilton development charge exceptions should remain in place.
Hamilton’s LRT project is facing many new road blocks as City Hall mismanagement of the HSR, and Hamilton’s rising rental costs are combining to build new opposition to the project. Was Andrea Horwath reflecting this in her LRT comments last week?
Province says HSR can run LRT, but strongly warns Council against HSR taking over the project.
Special Council meeting on Friday to debate.
As for what the vote means to the LRT project both timelines and risks; it is not yet clear. Andrew Hope, the project lead for Metrolinx, says he needs to go back to consult with the Province as to how to proceed, and that at the least, this will delay the project a few weeks.
Hamilton City Council returns from three weeks of vacation today for a special meeting on the Light Rail Transit project. The Public Record is liveblogging from the meeting.
Members of ACPD told staff that Unipaving is not an acceptable substitute.
“Urban Braille along the entire corridor is essential,” said member Tim Nolan to reflect “that people with disabilities can be anywhere and everywhere”.
“Unipavers provide zero accessibility, period, zero”, Nolan said. “If were going to substitute urban braille or other kinds of textured accessibility for the sake of unipavers, not a good idea. The are not going to provide any utility”.