Mississauga asks Ontario parties to commit to restoring downtown LRT loop – Toronto

The Hurontario LRT In Mississaugarecently changed its name to Hazel McCallion Line, promises to become a symbol of modernity in the suburbs of GTA.

The province-funded route will run from Port Credit by the river to Steeles Avenue in the north, stopping 19 times from start to finish. It is estimated that the trains will open to the public in 2024.

In 2018, Queen’s Park shortened the route when provincial transit agency Metrolinx scrapped its three-stop loop route around downtown Mississauga, citing cost concerns.

Since that day, Mayor Bonnie Crombie has made restoring that stretch a top priority.

“Without the detour, the future of the city center is in jeopardy – we will not be able to realize the full potential of the area,” she told Global News.

Ahead of the 2022 Ontario election, Crombie is calling on the province’s party leaders to widen Hazel McCallion Road back to its original length.

“The funding, when made available, will not only help us meet our climate change goals, but will hopefully help (get) people out of cars and attract more businesses around.” downtown, allowing us to build a complete, walkable city downtown,” she said.

Two of Ontario’s four main parties answered that call in their platforms: both the Ontario Liberal Party and the Ontario NDP pledged within their platforms to restore the loop.

“We will build dozens of new transit projects across the province – funding routes and stations that will improve people’s lives and make transport easier, including: extend (extend) the Hurontario LRT to downtown Brampton and fix (enter) the downtown loop as originally planned,” the Liberal foundation said.

The NDP Foundation is committed to the same.

The PC promise is similar – but not in its platform.

In February, at the line’s official renaming ceremony, then-prime minister Doug Ford promised that he wanted to add the loop “sooner than later”.

“My secretary of the treasury and chairman of the treasury are probably shooting me across the screen for saying it right now, but it is our goal to make sure that we complete the loop,” he said. speak.

The promise was not repeated in the 2022 Ontario budget, which served as the party’s campaign document. However, a PC spokesman said the pledge remained in effect.

“If re-elected, we will continue to work with our city and federal partners to enhance our chances of improving the Hazel McCallion Line, including an expansion,” said a party spokesman. Detour,” without providing specifics.

The Ontario Green Party told Global News they support restoring the loop.

Crombie said the goal of the Hurontario LRT, including the downtown bypass, is to support “long-term economic development” and climate goals.