Mississauga and Metrolinx to prepare preliminary design and assessment for Dundas Bus Rapid Transit corridor

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Ontario Construction News staff writer

Mississauga Council has approved for staff to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with Metrolinx for the Preliminary Design and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor.

In 2019, the City of Mississauga submitted an application for funding to the Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program focused on developing bus priority infrastructure on a two-kilometre segment of the Lakeshore Road corridor and on a 7-km segment of the Dundas Street corridor.

The City’s Rapid Transit office has been working with Metrolinx project planning staff and has released a joint procurement for the Dundas BRT Corridor Preliminary Design and TPAP on June 19.

The Dundas BRT corridor was identified as a priority transit project for the city, as well as a priority in Metrolinx’s ‘2041 Regional Transportation Plan’. Metrolinx recently completed an initial business case for the Dundas corridor from Kipling Station in the City of Toronto, through the City of Mississauga, Halton Region and the Village of Waterdown in the City of Hamilton.

“The overall work is based on the full Metrolinx corridor,” said Jerry Che, City of Mississauga Manager, Rapid Transit.  “Both Metrolinx and City teams have worked cooperatively on a cost sharing agreement and procurement package to advance the Dundas BRT Corridor development, resulting in mutual cost savings for both the City and Metrolinx.”

The Dundas Connects Master Plan will support major improvements to transportation, land use and the public realm along the Dundas Street Corridor. Highlights of some of the recommendations in the Master Plan include:

  • Implementing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Dundas Street
  • Encouraging mixed-use development that supports transit
  • Creating more open spaces and community facilities
  • Maintaining existing and supporting new affordable housing
  • Maintaining four traffic lanes along Dundas Street
  • Providing safe cycling infrastructure along the length of the Dundas Street Corridor
  • Enhancing pedestrian space and providing street trees
  • Encouraging street-related retail while supporting existing businesses

Dundas is a super street, exemplifying the City of Mississauga’s diversity. Along the corridor, you’ll find stores, businesses, parks, schools, churches, and beautiful neighbourhoods. Dundas is also a key part of Mississauga’s transportation network, with thousands of people using it every day to move around the City.

From end-to-end, the Dundas Corridor is 4 km wide and 17 km long, stretching from Oakville in the west, to Toronto in the east. The map below highlights “focus areas” that are home to key intersections and points of interest.

The next phase of work for the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor will be undertaken in cooperation with Metrolinx to complete the Preliminary Design and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the corridor and will include a public engagement plan that adheres to any municipal COVID-19 requirements.  Public engagement for this phase of work is expected in late 2020 or early 2021.

“The City will cost share the components and manage the study elements for the Mississauga segment to ensure they satisfy the City’s ICIP application requirements and timelines,” said Che. “Based upon negotiations with Metrolinx, the City will be responsible for 21.25 per cent of the overall study costs, which represents approximately half of the costs associated with the Mississauga segment. The procurement process is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.”

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