Hamilton investing $2.74M in cycling, transit, and electric vehicle charging for 2021

By

Published March 25, 2021 at 2:36 pm

electric-car-4276420_1920

The City of Hamilton is earmarking $2.74-million of the 2021 budget for transit infrastructure, including investments in cycling and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging.

The total investment amount in cycling infrastructure will be approximately $3.65-million—with a quarter of that amount coming from private investors.

The investment includes approximately 19 km of new and upgraded bicycle lanes, 3.2 km of new multi-use trails, and continued expansion of bike parking racks, according to an official City release.

Hamilton is also moving ahead with the 10-Year Transit Strategy that was implemented in 2015. This year the City looks to include 46,000 additional transit service hours, rehabilitative improvements to over 90 bus stops throughout the transit network, and the replacement of 66 shelters and 20 new shelter locations.

Meanwhile, 20 new EV charging stations are slated to be installed in municipal parking lots this year. 

“Hamilton is taking the necessary steps today to ensure we have the multi-modal transportation system we need to drive our economy and improve our quality of life far into the future,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

“That means continuing to make it easy for people to get where they need to go through improved roads, cycling networks and public transit, and continuously improving our already robust goods movement network of airport, rail, 400-series roads and harbour facilities. We are taking action to ensure that our growing community is better-designed, healthier, and more livable than ever before.”

The City’s mandate is “a more sustainable and active Hamilton” through a variety of multi-modal transportation options, which include transit, cycling infrastructure, micro-mobility systems, pedestrian mobility, and road infrastructure.

Additional investments outlined in the 2021 municipal operating budget that support multi-modal transportation, include:

  • Re(envision) the HSR campaign, which is an opportunity for all Hamilton residents, including current and potential HSR customers to provide their thoughts on HSR’s current service and how we may reconfigure routes, evolve schedules and improve service.
  • Solidifying and enhancing the Hamilton Bike Share system and enhancing the range of micro-mobility choices available including e-scooters.
  • Development of a commercial shared e-scooter program.
  • Development of a Complete, Livable, Better Streets Design Manual, that will help design complete streets that support walking, cycling, transit, and driving for people of all ages and abilities.
  • Development of a free-floating car share permit program.
  • Outreach, education, equity and training around safe streets, cycling and bike share.
  • Major right-of-way rehabilitation projects on Rymal Road, Regional Road 56 and neighbourhood resurfacing projects in Ancaster Heights (Lime Kiln North), Central, McQuesten West, Battlefield, Greenford, Vincent, Bonnington, and Southam.

Council will formally approve the City’s 2021 budget on Mar. 31.

 

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising