LRT crew scanning and drilling to prepare for construction

It's a milestone of sorts the first time crews are drillinginto the ground for Hamilton's planned light trail transit (LRT) system.

This is the best you can do without tearing up the road.- Andrew Hope, Metrolinx director for Hamilton LRT

Engineers are moving along the LRT route, scanning the ground to mark the exact locations of utilities running underneath. When they want to get a better look, they're drilling bore holes, said Andrew Hope, Metrolinx's director for Hamilton LRT.

This work will help Metrolinx determine which utility lines need to be moved to build the $1 billion system, Hope said. The workers with T2 Utility Engineers started Aug. 2 and will finish this spring.

"Until you open upthe road, there arealways hidden surprises," he said. But "this is the best you can do without tearing up the road."

Metrolinx is paying for the work as part of the $1 billion budget, as well as any complications that arise from it, Hope said. Under the memorandum of agreement with the city, Metrolinx will also pay to relocate utility lines or pipes that the city doesn't already plan to replace. The city pays if it wants to do any upgrades.

The city website says the work will cause occasional lane closures from Kingsmount Street to LongwoodAvenue between now and Oct. 11.

The planned LRT system will run alternatively down Main and King streets from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle. It will also run down James Street North from King Street to the West Harbour GO station or the waterfront, budget permitting.

Metrolinx will spend $1 billion in provincial dollarsfor the system, with input from the city. Hamilton city council will vote this fall on whether to accept the system.

Meanwhile, Metrolinx and the city will hold public information sessions starting Sept. 12.

Here's a list:

Monday, Sept. 12
Time:5 to 8 p.m.
Location:McMaster Innovation Park, Atrium
175 Longwood Rd. S.

Tuesday, Sept. 13
Time: 3 to 5 p.m, and 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Hamilton city hall, council chambers & level twolobby
71 Main St. W.

Wednesday, Sept. 14
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: LIUNA Station, Continental Express Ballroom
360 James St.N.

Thursday, Sept. 15
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Location:Dr. John Perkins Centre, Room A & Atrium
1429 Main St.E.

Tuesday, Sept. 20
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: Battlefield House Museum, Jackson House Cellar
77 King St.W., Stoney Creek

Wednesday, Sept. 21
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: Sackville Hill Senior's Recreation Centre, Fireside Lounge
780 Upper Wentworth St.

Thursday, Sept.22
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: Dundas Town Hall, Second Floor Auditorium
60 Main St., Dundas

samantha.craggs@cbc.ca | @SamCraggsCBC