If you have been following along with recent blogs from the Brampton Board of Trade, you’ll know that we have been advocating for the LRT extension into Downtown Brampton for a while. Up until last Friday, our fight had been to secure a funding announcement for a specific route whether it be street-aligned or an underground tunnel. Check out BBOT’s reaction to the news in case you missed it.
On Friday January 24th, Premier Doug Ford alongside Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and Mayor Patrick Brown announced that the Hazel McCallion Line into downtown Brampton will include a rapid transit tunnel. This massive announcement was the culmination of 10 years of hope and nearly 7 years of municipal advocacy.
A Vision for Better Transit
The nearly four-kilometre underground extension will connect the Brampton Gateway Terminal at Steeles Avenue to downtown Brampton’s GO Station, integrating with Brampton Transit, Züm, GO Transit, and other regional systems.
Brampton’s transit ridership has seen exponential growth, surpassing 40 million annual passengers in 2023. With daily ridership on Hurontario alone reaching up to 25,000, the extension is a much-needed investment to meet the city’s evolving needs alongside municipal investment in 52,000 additional service hours.
Key Benefits for Brampton Residents and Businesses
The Hazel McCallion Line extension promises transformative benefits:
- Enhanced Connectivity: Links downtown Brampton with major transit systems across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) from Brampton Innovation District GO to Port Credit GO with stops along the way.
- Reduced Congestion: Encourages public transit use, easing traffic on one of Brampton’s busiest roads.
- Environmental Sustainability: Near-zero emissions from clean, electrically powered light rail vehicles support greener transportation.
- Economic Growth: Projected to create 47,000 new housing units and 17,000 jobs, driving urban renewal and attracting businesses to the downtown core.
Supporting Brampton’s City-Building Goals
This announcement combined with the investments in the Riverwalk project will radically transform the downtown. Riverwalk allows for the lifting of the Special Policy Area (SPA) that has historically prevented residential intensification of Downtown Brampton. Combined with the LRT, Downtown Brampton will be transformed into a modern hub of urban living.
The Next Frontier of Advocacy and Collaboration for BBOT
Several important questions remain unresolved. First, we are still awaiting a federal contribution to this project. Though the Province has explicitly expressed support for a tunnel, they have not clarified how much of the estimated $2.8 billion they intend to fund. We anticipate that this will be clarified after the Provincial election is announced.
Second, we aim to establish clear timelines and advocate for an expedited process to break ground as soon as possible on this project. For instance, it would be valuable to know if Metrolinx can accelerate their estimated two-year due diligence review by leveraging the extensive work already completed by City staff on the tunneled LRT.
Third, we need to assess whether the skilled labour force required to execute this project efficiently is readily available. If not, it is essential to explore local economic development opportunities that can maximize the community’s economic benefits while addressing any labour gaps.
Lastly, we must address the challenges faced by businesses in the downtown core during construction. Ensuring that construction progresses swiftly and that businesses receive appropriate support and compensation during this transitional period is critical. BBOT looks forward to working with the Downtown Brampton BIA to achieve this.
A Milestone in Transit Expansion
We are grateful that the Province has designated the Hazel McCallion Line extension as a priority project under the Building Transit Faster Act in 2024. This project is the culmination of a decade of advocacy and hard work. We want to thank the Province, Mayor Brown, and all of the transit enthusiasts who did not give up on the LRT throughout the years.
As Brampton continues to grow, this extension will be pivotal in shaping a vibrant, connected, and sustainable future. By addressing the needs of a rapidly expanding population and workforce, Brampton is solidifying its role as a leader in urban innovation and transit-oriented development. We look forward to continuing to work to address some of our remaining questions.
(…Including a potential name change for the Brampton leg of the line. If you have thoughts, email me at vsingh@bramptonbot.com)
