The response to some of the above questions from Metrolinx:
Thank you for taking time to read our recent Board update on the Hamilton LRT and for reaching out with your questions. We appreciate your thoughtful interest in this project and our Capital Projects Group has provided responses to your questions below.
Corridor Sections:
Enbridge is completing detailed designs for five areas where large pipes cross perpendicularly under the Hamilton LRT Corridor. Work zone segments for the entire 14-km corridor will be determined once a construction partner is onboard.
Spring 2025 Watermain Relocations:
There are five watermain relocation enabling works projects that were selected because they remove infrastructure from the corridor and clear the way for the major works to come. This reduces risk to cost, complexity and timelines for the main packages of work. Main and Ottawa watermain construction is among the most complex work being undertaken along the corridor.
Detailed Design Plans:
The conceptual design for the LRT project is currently being updated. It is expected to be shared publicly later this year. Additional conceptual renderings are also planned to be shared this year.
Safety Features and Vision Zero:
Safety is always at the core of our engineering and implementation work. Road reconstruction - whether done as an enabling work or as part of major works - will use the City of Hamilton Complete Streets Guidelines and Vision Zero principles wherever feasible within the narrow corridor. Expected safety features will include converting select roads to two-way, enhanced pedestrian crossings, urban braille along the whole corridor, and wider sidewalks where right-of-way permits.
Locations and Timelines:
In many cases, enabling works have been, or will be, coordinated with other City capital works to minimize disruption to the public and maximize project benefits. We continue to evaluate areas where we can coordinate construction between City-initiated projects and LRT construction.
RFQ/RFP Process:
Enabling works are underway and will continue in 2025. This includes utility relocations, property acquisition, building demolition, due diligence activities, and design refinement. The first package of construction work will follow a procurement and development phase during which a construction partner will be selected and detailed design will occur. Progress of the project will be shared publicly as it becomes available.
Summary:
The project scope for the Hamilton LRT includes a complete revitalization of both private and public utilities along the transit route, including water, gas, and telecommunications lines. Together, the introduction of a modern LRT system and utility infrastructure improvements carried out by the Hamilton LRT project will set the stage for sustainable growth and city-building for decades to come.
The Hamilton LRT project will play a key role in the revitalization of Hamilton’s urban environment and your interest is very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
DONALD WRIGHT
Chair, Board of Directors
Metrolinx
