Major new transit line is on schedule for 2024 opening in Mississauga
Published April 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The City of Mississauga has so far reviewed some 1,000 design submissions and issued more than 200 permits as an “active partner” in construction of the $1.4-billion Hazel McCallion light rail transit (LRT) line.
A report from the City’s transportation and works commissioner to be presented at tomorrow’s (April 26) meeting of general committee outlines what work has been completed to date on the 18-kilometre LRT route, what’s currently in progress and what will take place in the coming year.
Most importantly, though, according to senior staff at the City, is that the massive transit project being overseen by the provincial agency Metrolinx is on schedule for its planned fall 2024 opening to the public.
Once completed, the 19-stop line will run along Hurontario St. from the Port Credit GO station in south Mississauga to Brampton.
The City of Brampton, Region of Peel and Mobilinx, the project’s contractor, are also partners in the Hazel McCallion Line.
Looking ahead, the report authored by transportation and works commissioner Geoff Wright also confirms that the City will continue to fight to have the provincial government once again make the so-called downtown loop part of the project.
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The downtown loop, as City officials call it, was initially part of the huge Hurontario LRT plan before being cut by the Province three years ago.
Plans for the loop, which would conveniently connect Hazel McCallion Line trains with the many condos and tens of thousands of residents in Mississauga’s downtown core, were dropped in order to save money.
Mayor Bonnie Crombie, council and other City officials have been fighting for reinstatement of the loop ever since. In fact, Crombie has often identified it as among the very top priorities for the City.
In the meantime, the report notes, “construction of the Hurontario LRT has significantly progressed throughout the corridor with all work zones along the 15 kilometres identified in Mississauga having active construction.”
The project is also keeping City staffers busy, as workers are in the final stages of reviewing the last of more than 1,000 design packages submitted by Mobilinx to ensure compliance.
The City has also issued more than 200 permits so far for the project.
As of March, the report points out, highlights of what has been completed to date in preparation for the future roadway and tracks include:
- more than five kilometres of guideway track installed
- nine intersections with guideway track installed
- installation and completion of the QEW push box
- significant progress at the operations, maintenance and storage facility (the hub of the line’s operations)
- installation of the Port Credit push box
- construction of the Hwy. 403 flyover
When completed, the 19-stop LRT line will link to GO stations at Port Credit and Cooksville, the Mississauga Transitway, Square One GO Bus Terminal, Brampton Gateway Terminal, and key MiWay and Brampton Transit routes.
Meanwhile, significant strides have also been made recently on an important part of the LRT route in Mississauga’s downtown core.
Project leaders at Metrolinx took to social media to show progress being made on what they’ve described as “a very cool piece of urban infrastructure” being constructed just to the east of Square One Shopping Centre.
Technically, it’s known as the elevated guideway, which will eventually connect the LRT route to the City Centre station near Square One.
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