10 major Hamilton institutions write letter supporting LRT

Ten heavyweight Hamilton institutions including ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Hamilton Health Sciences and both major school boards have come out in favour of LRT.

We urge the City of Hamilton to continue with the implementation of the BLAST transit network.- Letter signed by 10 anchor institutions

The "anchor institutions" told Mayor Fred Eisenberger in a letter this week that they want the BLAST rapid transit network to happen.

That includes LRT from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle, and bus rapid transit from the waterfront to the airport.

The plan has "transformative potential," said the letter. And it will add to "the health and prosperity of our city."

"We urge the City of Hamilton to continue with the implementation of the BLAST transit network."

The letter shows "there is strong consensus that LRT is the first step toward a BLAST network that will bring modern transit to every corner of our city," the mayor said.

And it will bring "the economic uplift and new investment that will benefit everyone.

The signees are as follows:

• ArcelorMittal Dofasco.
• Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
• Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.
• Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
• Hamilton Community Foundation.
• McMaster University.
• Hamilton Health Sciences.
• Mohawk College.
• St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.
• Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction.

No one knows exactly what percentage of Hamilton residents want LRT to happen. This week, a "No LRT Hamilton" group asked the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate whether Eisenberger has a conflict of interest because he wants LRT and also sits on the Alectra Utilities board.

A group of city councillors, meanwhile, are trying to get answers themselves.

They've hired Forum Research to survey 2,100 Hamiltonians about LRT. That's happening right now.

That group includes at least two councillors who are pro-LRT. They hope to have the answers by a March 28 city council committee meeting about LRT.

The province has committed $1 billion to build A-line BRT and B-line LRT. Metrolinx has started the procurement process. Construction is due to start in 2019, with the system launching in 2024.