The Ontario government has awarded a contract for the first significant package of civil and utility work on the Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) project to Hamilton Transit Alliance, which is led by Aecon Infrastructure Inc. According to the government, this 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) LRT with 17 stops is expected to boost the local economy by creating around 6,000 jobs each year during construction and up to 1,000 permanent jobs for operations and maintenance after completion.
“Our government is making historic investments in public transit to fight gridlock and keep people moving,” said Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to delivering the Hamilton LRT, a project that will support 50,000 daily riders, connecting more people to jobs and housing and giving families and workers more choice and better access to fast, affordable public transit.”
The civil and utilities contract for the Hamilton LRT includes preparatory tasks along the route. The planned infrastructure improvements involve:
14 kilometers (8.7 miles) of sewer replacement and separation. 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) of watermain replacement. 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) of road reconstruction. 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) of replaced and upgraded sidewalks. 62 upgraded and replaced traffic signals
“Aecon’s experience building some of the most transformative transit projects of this generation, including three modern LRTs in Ontario, will be of great value to this critical project for Hamilton,” said Aecon Group Inc. President and CEO Jean-Louis Servranckx. “We are harnessing the collective strengths of our civil and utilities teams to self-perform this vital project. The collaborative development phase provides benefits to all stakeholders, and we look forward to working with our client to advance this project that will improve mobility for growing communities.”
The contract will also move forward design work needed for replacing the bridge over Highway 403, constructing a new LRT underpass beneath the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Hamilton Subdivision near Gage Avenue, as well as improving the Queenston Road bridge over Red Hill Valley Parkway.
This project is being funded by both the province and federal government of Canada, who are putting in up to C$3.4 billion (US$2.5 billion) for its development and construction. This funding is part of a larger C$70 billion (US$51.6 billion) investment by the Ontario government aimed at expanding transit across the province.
“With this contract award, we are setting the stage for major construction on the Hamilton LRT-which is incredible news for the city of Hamilton,” said Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay. “This contract includes new and upgraded bridges along with upgrades for roads, utilities, and public spaces. This project will transform how people travel across downtown Hamilton creating connections to HSR and GO Transit along the 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) route. I’m encouraged by collaboration across all levels of government that’s building momentum for this project.”
Once it’s finished, officials say that the Hamilton LRT will place thousands of jobs within walking distance from fast, reliable transit options with stops at Mc Master University, Hamilton Stadium, Eastgate Square, Ottawa Street, Gage Park downtown Hamilton among other key locations. The LRT will also link riders with services from Hamilton Street Railway as well as GO Transit throughout the city.
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