Eastgate stop pitched to keep plan on track
Reverting to Hamilton’s original light rail transit route is the latest last-gasp suggestion to prevent an increasingly troubled LRT project from going off the rails.
But council members differ on whether the pitch is helpful, unrealistic, or just an excuse to kill the project by delay.
Council has repeatedly put off a simple but critical vote to submit its updated $1-billion LRT study to the province for approval. Without that endorsement, the 100 per cent provincially funded project stalls in its tracks.
A growing number of councillors say they’ll vote against LRT next Wednesday, despite provincial warnings such a decision would trigger reallocation of the $1 billion to rapid transit in a different city.
But LRT critic Coun. Terry Whitehead added a new twist to the saga at this past Wednesday’s marathon meeting by declaring he would “absolutely” vote to move ahead if the LRT route to Eastgate Square is reinstated.
“I’ve always made it clear, (LRT) should be destination location to destination location,” said Whitehead, who has taken flak in the past for calling the current proposal to end at the Queenston traffic circle a train to “nowhere.”
The city originally asked in 2013
for a fully funded 14-kilometere LRT between McMaster University and Eastgate, on the edge of Stoney Creek. But the provincial Liberals instead announced $1 billion to build from the university to Queenston, with a surprise north-south spur on James Street to link up with the new GO station.
Reinserting the lost three kilometres — and stops at Parkdale, Nash and the mall — would “not be technically difficult” because the section was already approved as part of the city’s original 2011 EA, said Metrolinx project head Andrew Hope.
That section of the line was also planned to run down the centre of the street, which means it matches up with the newly centre-running LRT tracks in the updated study for the western half of the project.
“The question would be the budget,” said Hope, who noted extending an extra three kilometres could cost in the “ballpark” of $180 million.
Technically, the project saved about $120 million earlier this year when the province decided to axe the James Street A-line spur in favour of studying a bus rapid transit system running from the harbour to the airport.
Councillor reactions varied to the idea of revisiting Eastgate during next week’s debate on the project’s future.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger called the discussion “premature” and “unlikely to be sorted out in a week’s time” but nonetheless vowed to work with all parties” to try to round up enough votes to push the project ahead.
“It would make no difference to me,” said Coun. Brenda Johnson, who says she will vote against LRT regardless over concerns about unknown impacts on taxpayers.
Coun. Maria Pearson, who represents part of Stoney Creek, said the original route “made more sense,” but added she still has “serious concerns” about many aspects of the project.
Councillors Lloyd Ferguson and Sam Merulla, on the other hand, appeared open to the idea.
“Sure, I would support that, budget permitting,” said Ferguson, adding he discussed the idea with the mayor following axing of the A-line spur.
What happens next?
Council is supposed to vote next Wednesday on whether to submit the LRT project study to the province for approval. Here are the scenarios:
If council votes “yes,” the public will have a month to comment on the plan and the minister of the environment will have another month to approve or send back the EA. After approval, Metrolinx would start seeking design-build-operate bids from private consortiums this summer.
If council votes “no,” councillors are supposed to provide direction to the city and Metrolinx team on what additional EA or design work is needed. Minor suggested changes would be studied and the updated plan would come back, again, to council.
If council simply votes “no” without offering alternatives, Metrolinx will be in uncharted territory. A two-thirds council vote is needed to formally kill LRT — but the project is stalled if the EA does not get provincial approval. Supporters fear this “death-by-delay” scenario would extend until the 2018 election.
How do you say no to $1 billion?
Here’s what some politicians have said about Hamilton’s $1-billion predicament:
Jason Farr: “People are finally waking up to the possibility of a billion-dollar throwaway … that’s the cold, hard reality.”
Donna Skelly: “I don’t think that will happen. I think there is a conversation to have … Personally, I’d like to see us look at BRT and more, better GO transit.”
Lloyd Ferguson: “If we turn down a billion bucks, I will be haunted forever.”
Brenda Johnson: “I don’t think we’re giving it up. I think there are other options. Wait and see.”
Sam Merulla: “I don’t see how we can. It’s surreal … It would be devastating.”
What will your councillor do?
Firm supporters of LRT include Mayor Fred Eisenberger and councillors Aidan Johnson, Jason Farr, Matthew Green, Sam Merulla and Lloyd Ferguson.
Public opponents include councillors Chad Collins, Donna Skelly, Judi Partridge and Brenda Johnson. Rob Pasuta is away on long-term absence due to illness and isn’t expected to vote. Possible swing votes include: Terry Whitehead (Ward 8-Mountain) One of LRT’s biggest critics, Whitehead says he could support LRT if it extended to Eastgate Square. He voted in 2013 to request 100 per cent funding and supported incremental votes to continue project planning until now. He said it: “I am on board, I’m 100 per cent committed. I want to ensure we do the very best we can, because we have an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime for a council.” — 2015, after provincial funding announced
“They have a responsibility ... to fund a viable plan for the city of Hamilton. Eastgate was a part of that plan.” — April 20, ahead of next week’s vote Tom Jackson (Ward 6-Mountain) The councillor voted to request 100 per cent funding for LRT in 2013, stopped his support during the 2014 election, but supported incremental votes to continue project planning after provincial cash was announced.
Last year, Jackson said his “continued support” hinged on using buses displace by LRT to better-serve the Mountain and a role for HSR in running light rail. He said it: “Any time a senior level of government wants to drop $1 billion on our city, we should just say a heartfelt thank you.” — Jackson, in 2015 following provincial funding announcement
“I still have a lot to digest.” — April 20, ahead of next week’s vote Arlene VanderBeek (Ward 13-Dundas) VanderBeek was elected in 2014 and campaigned against LRT, but following the 100 per cent funding announcement voted to support incremental decisions to continue project planning. She said it: “LRT itself is not a priority for me. It’s a priority for me that we have a transit system that works for our community and the larger city that we can afford.” — Oct. 2014
“I’ve pretty much decided how I’m going to vote, but I’m going to wait for the discussion.” — April 2017 Maria Pearson (Ward 10-Stoney Creek) Pearson voted to request 100 per cent funding for LRT in 2013 and supported incremental votes to continue planning, design and property work until now.
She said it: “If we’re moving ahead with LRT, I need to see the public is back at the table and will have input. I’ll keep an open mind” — 2015, after provincial funding announced
“I’m still weighing everything I’ve heard … But I have concerns. Serious concerns.” — April 2017 Doug Conley (Ward 9-Stoney Creek) Conley was elected in 2014 and campaigned against LRT, but following the 100 per cent provincial funding announcement supported incremental votes to continue project planning.
Conley has said he doesn’t see “what’s in it for Stoney Creek” given the truncated LRT route that falls short of his community. He said it: “It sure sounds like good news, but I have a lot of questions … I wasn’t here when council decided to go ahead with this” — May 2015, after provincial funding announced
“It was a long meeting. I’m not ready to have the debate.” — April 19 following marathon LRT meeting