FredConnect - April 2008
Since Mayor Eisenberger began his work with Metrolinx (formally the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority) about a year and a half ago, there has been exciting success that will bring major changes over the short and long-term.
With the approval of the City-wide Transportation Master Plan, two rapid transit corridors have been identified: Waterfront to the Airport connecting major nodes in between including Mohawk College, the downtown, and the GO Transit Centre (A-Line) and from McMaster University to Eastgate Square (B-Line). Thanks to Mayor Eisenberger's participation on the Metrolinx board, investment is now flowing into the City of Hamilton and will result in the first steps toward full rapid transit. The 2008 Ontario Budget includes funding for three major Hamilton projects - $12.4 million for the A-Line $17.4 million for B-Line improvements and $3M for a James Street North GO/VIA platform.
Although GO Transit investment is the smallest financially, it has the potential for the greatest impact in Hamilton over the long-term. Due to infrastructure constraints, the existing GO station on Hunter Street is limited in the number of trains that can come into Hamilton each day and does not allow for two-way service. Since taking office, Mayor Eisenberger has been working diligently to bring back VIA Rail service, establishing City Council consensus in favour of a downtown/waterfront station location. With the available capacity near the former CN station, the tremendous redevelopment on the West Harbourfront and adjacent arts district, the clear choice is James North as an ideal location for a regional rail hub. Once Mayor Eisenberger presented the idea to Metrolinx, the board formally adopted a recommendation to establish a train platform at a James Street North location which will allow an increase in two-way GO Train service to our city along with the reconnection of VIA Rail.
Looking ahead, the improvements in express bus service on the A and B Lines are the first step in establishing rapid transit in Hamilton. In the near future, the focus will be on deciding how to most effectively spend the bulk of our multi-million dollar allotment from the MoveOntario 2020 fund. This will involve looking at the options available for Hamilton, including different transit technologies such as Light-Rail Transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and their comparable operating costs.
This promises to be a major transformative project for the City of Hamilton and citizens are encouraged to participate in the upcoming opportunities for public input on rapid transit.
$7 M Transit Money
Hamilton has received more than $7.5 million from the Province of Ontario to renew and expand municipal transit infrastructure to help increase transit ridership. The funds will also help manage congestion, support the environment and improve the movement of people in the City of Hamilton.
Boost for Cycling
Cycling infrastructure in Hamilton is getting a financial boost of nearly $191,000 from the Metrolinx BikeLinx Program. Mayor Fred Eisenberger, a Board member of Metrolinx, who supports cycling as an alternative mode of transportation welcomes the news. Mayor Eisenberger views this is another step in helping to preserve our environment. The Mayor has indicated that one of his primary goals is to continue to work with staff to improve on more cost effective and environmentally-friendly transportation for the people of Hamilton. The funding from the Metrolinx BikeLinx Program fits that bill perfectly."
The funds will be used to install bicycle racks on buses on HSR buses and to provide secure and safe parking for bicycles in the form of permanent, safe, and secure lockers that will be placed at strategic locations near major municipal and inter-regional transit facilities.
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