Metrolinx to alter Hurontario light-rail project to cut costs

The Ontario government has approved Metrolinx's recommended changes to the Hurontario light-rail transit (LRT) project in order to trim costs, Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Phil Verster announced last week.

“The changes have been designed to reduce project costs while still achieving the project goal of providing a fast, reliable and seamless customer experience between the new Hurontario LRT line, the GO Transit network, and the local transit systems,” Verster said in a statement. 

The revisions include: 

• removing the Mississauga, Canada, city center loop and creating a direct in-out access route from Hurontario to the Rathburn stop, located next to the MiWay Transit Terminal;
• deferring the pedestrian bridge at the Cooksville stop to be included in a future transit-oriented development between the stop and the GO station; and
• changing the streetscaping along the corridor.

Under the revised scope, the Hurontario LRT will provide 11 miles of rapid transit with 19 stops in a dedicated right-of-way. The Hurontario LRT will link the GO stations at Port Credit and Cooksville, the Mississauga Transitway, Square One GO Bus Terminal, Brampton Gateway Terminal and key Zum and MiWay routes.