Hamilton, Ontario Rapid Transit

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted on 10/29/08
Source File: http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/CityandGovernment/ProjectsInitiatives/RapidTransit/
Description:
Project Status
Hamilton is moving forward with ambitious plans to implement rapid transit in Hamilton. On October 29th, 2008 Hamilton City Council reinforced its support for the City’s aggressive plans to implement rapid transit in Hamilton – with a specific focus on light rail. Councillors voted unanimously on staff’s recommendation to continue moving forward with light rail transit planning, approving the following motions:
* Endorse both the A-line and B-line as light rail rapid transit projects in Hamilton (see map below);
* Request Metrolinx for the required capital funding for the functional design, detail design and construction of the B-line within their five-year capital budget;
* Request Metrolinx for the funding for the continued planning and design for the A-line in conjunction with the design and construction of the B-line as part of the five-year capital budget. 
* The A-Line – James/Upper James from the Hamilton Airport to the Waterfront
* The B-Line – Main/King from University Plaza to Eastgate Square
Staff are continuing their aggressive public consultation program and will move forward with the undertaking of associated plans and studies. Staff will also continue to work collaboratively with Metrolinx to determine availability of funding for rapid transit projects in Hamilton and prepare for Metrolinx’s required Business Case Analysis process. Metrolinx is expected to release their final plan in late November 2008.
Project Background
Hamilton’s Public Works Department initiated a Rapid Transit Feasibility Study in November 2007, which investigated major considerations in rapid transit planning, including such things as land use, existing transit service, rights of way, timing, signal priority, dedicated lanes, and a summary of Class Environmental Assessment requirements, as well as an analysis of the feasibility and requirements for implementation of rapid transit on routes identified in the Hamilton Transportation Master Plan, with a focus on the two routes identified in MoveOntario 2020. 
In order to further review the opportunities and constraints of implementing rapid transit in Hamilton along the proposed A-line and B-line, Phase 2 of the Rapid Transit Feasibility Study has investigated the Claremont Access as a potential route for light rail transit in order to traverse the escarpment, lane reduction impacts and a staging analysis to outline the logistics for implementing a light rail system to ensure the greatest value is gained by the community in the shortest time. 
In September 2008, Metrolinx released its draft transportation strategy, which identified four rapid transit routes in Hamilton to be implemented consecutively over the next 25 years and beyond. The Big Move: Transforming Transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area maps out $50 billion in new transportation projects over 25 years with additional routes identified for beyond the 25 year plan. 
Listed among the Top 15 “early implementation” priority projects was rapid transit expansion from McMaster University to Centennial Parkway – the current HSR ‘B-Line’. The ‘A-Line’ was also included in the first 15 years of the plan. An additional Mohawk Road route from Ancaster to Main Street was included in the 25-year plan (‘T-Line’) and a Centennial Parkway/Rymal Road (‘S-Line’) route was identified for beyond 25 years. 
Resources & Related Links
* MoveOntario 2020
* Metrolinx
* HSR/Transit
* Hamilton Economic Development
Project Web address
http://www.hamilton.ca/rapid-transit
Category:Canada
Category:City Governments
Category:Mass Transit
Category:Ontario
Category:Policies