Ontario Construction News staff writer
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, regional councillors and local Members of Parliament met in Ottawa last week to advocate key municipal transit and infrastructure projects.
“Brampton is one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, and the need to expand our transit systems and transit infrastructure in a green and sustainable way is a key priority,” he said.
“This term of council is focused on building for the future and ensuring that we advance the priorities of the residents of our city. I appreciate the open door with our federal partners in Ottawa, and the support of our local Members of Parliament in advancing our shared priorities.”
With the city growing at three times the provincial average, Brown says he needs funding commitments from the federal government for infrastructure and transit projects including:
- Fully funded Light Rail Transit (LRT) from Main Street to Brampton GO (federal ask $850 million)
- Queen Street-Highway 7 Rapid Transit / Züm Express regional connections (federal ask $250 million)
- Cybersecure Catalyst grant approval for enhanced infrastructure (federal ask $80 million)
- Electrify third transit facility for e-Bus fleet (federal ask $75 million)
- Expanding Active Transportation Network (20-year Active Transportation plan – federal ask $42.2 million)
In June, staff presented the preferred surface and preferred underground options along Main Street as part of the Hurontario Main LRT Extension EA Study.
Council unanimously approved two preferred alignments – one surface and one tunnel for the 30 per cent preliminary design and draft environmental project report for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) extension from Steeles Avenue to Downtown Brampton.
The tunnel option was approved as the preferred alignment to advance funding advocacy with the current provincial and federal governments.
“The City of Brampton’s government relations approach in recent years has resulted in significant expansion of funding secured from the provincial and federal governments. City staff will continue working closely with our federal partners on the projects that will benefit Brampton both now, and in the future as our city continues to grow,” said CAO David Barrick.