New traffic signals to go up along LRT route in Mississauga; work will cause delays

The installation of permanent traffic signals is among several tasks being completed on a section of the $4.6-billion Hazel McCallion light-rail transit line in Mississauga’s north end, project leaders said in their latest update.

That work in addition to track maintenance, utility relocations and continuing work at LRT stops will take place in the coming months and is expected to cause ongoing traffic delays and other disruptions on Hurontario Street between Eglinton Avenue and Highway 407.

That’s the word from Metrolinx, the provincial agency in charge of the transformational Mississauga-to-Brampton transit project, which is expected to be completed in 2028.

Project leaders said the latest work on that north Mississauga section of the Hazel McCallion Line got underway on Monday and will continue through Sept. 30.

During that time, construction activity is expected to continue seven days a week, 24 hours a day until completion, Metrolinx said, adding work may be rescheduled due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.

“As construction on the Hazel McCallion Line LRT continues to progress, crews continue to carry out work along Hurontario Street from Eglinton Avenue to Topflight Drive,” project officials said in Monday’s update. “Ongoing construction activities in the coming months include track maintenance, ongoing utility relocations, installation of permanent traffic signals and ongoing work at stops. Some of this work may be scheduled overnight and on weekends for a variety of reasons including lower traffic volumes and weather-related impacts.”

Impacts on drivers, pedestrians, area residents and businesses from July 13 until Sept. 30 include:

• Residences and businesses can expect noise and vibration caused by construction equipment.
• Construction lighting may be visible from the work site.
• Trucks and construction equipment may generate dust.
• Minor traffic delays may be experienced near the work zone. Two-way directional traffic will be maintained during the work with a paid-duty officer, flaggers and detour signs onsite to direct traffic as needed.
• All businesses in the area will remain open during the work.
• Temporary sidewalk closures or pedestrian detours will be in place while the work is underway, with signs in place to direct pedestrians as needed. Also, clear and defined walking paths will be maintained during construction to ensure pedestrian safety.
• Homes and businesses in the area may experience noise and vibration caused by construction equipment related to the work. Crews will take measures to minimize disruptions to the surrounding area wherever possible.

Meanwhile, work is also taking place through Aug. 6 at Hurontario Street and the QEW farther south in Mississauga (see post below).

LRT line four years behind original schedule

Under construction since 2020 and initially scheduled to open in late 2024, the Hazel McCallion Line is now expected to take its first passengers in early 2028.

When completed, it will run 18 kilometres along Hurontario Street from south Mississauga (Port Credit GO) north into downtown Brampton.

Metrolinx updated City of Mississauga officials on the well-behind-schedule public transit initiative at a closed-door session in late April. The mayor, city councillors and senior staff had long expressed frustration at project delays they’ve said are hurting businesses and testing drivers’ patience daily.

In an interview with INsauga.com in May, Mayor Carolyn Parrish said she and other city officials were told by Metrolinx the Hazel McCallion Line would be ready in 2028 to take its first passengers.

When it opens to passengers, the Hazel McCallion Line will feature more than 20 stops along the route, including several in Mississauga’s downtown core by Square One. Metrolinx received the go-ahead from the province in February 2024 to extend the LRT line by three or four kilometres into downtown Brampton and reintroduce the “downtown loop” to the City Centre area of Mississauga. The latter component will add several stops to the route.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said earlier this year that extending the $4.6-billion Hazel McCallion Line from Hurontario Street into the busy and fast-growing downtown core of Mississauga will cost another $1.6 billion — the construction tab to be picked up by the provincial government.

(Image: Metrolinx)