LRT: down to the wire

The Hamilton Spectator is reporting that "LRT best and most costly option" according to a Metrolinx report TheSpec.com - BreakingNews - LRT best and most costly option: report

Here's the article on the Spec web site:

Light-rail transit line from Eastgate Square to McMaster University could bring as much as $144 million in economic uplift to the city, says a new report from provincial transportation agency Metrolinx.

It pegs the cost at an estimated $784 million to build.

The report also examined a rapid transit bus line - a dedicated lane for buses and priority at traffic signals. This option would cost $220 million and bring $77 million in economic spinoffs to the city, the report concludes.

A third option - light rail from Ottawa Street to McMaster and bus from Ottawa to Eastgate Square - would cost $655 million to build and would bring as much as $106 million in economic benefits.

Read report in PDF document

The report projects significant population growth in Hamilton over the next two decades. The current population of 500,000 is expected to grow to 660,000 residents while employment is expected to grow to 300,000 jobs by 2031.

Watch thespec.com for more updates to this breaking story.