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Showing posts with label light rail. Show all posts
Showing posts with label light rail. Show all posts
Friday, June 10, 2016
Monday, February 25, 2013
Saturday, January 15, 2011
design the b-line
Open Houses to review the draft design of the B-Line & Land Use Studies for both A & B-Lines
The City of Hamilton invites you to a series of Public Information Sessions. This is your opportunity to:
- Give your view on the ongoing development of a Rapid Transit network for Hamilton
- Review details of the proposed Light Rail Transit (LRT) scheme for the B-Line corridor between McMaster and Eastgate
- Discuss and contribute to land use planning issues and opportunities along both the A-Line (Waterfront to Airport) and B-Line (McMaster to Eastgate) corridors
Staff will be available to explain proposals, answer your questions and understand your points of view. In addition, members from the Rapid Transit Citizen Advisory Committee (RTCAC) will be in attendance to listen to your views.
January 19, 2011 - Downtown - Scottish Rite (4 Queen St S), 6-8pm
January 20, 2011 - West end - Westdale Secondary School (700 Main St W), 6-8pm
January 25, 2011 - East end - Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (1715 Main St E), 6-8pm
January 27, 2011 – Mountain – Courtyard Marriott (1224 UpperJames St), 6-8pm
Monday, September 27, 2010
next stop: transit
What: Rapid Transit Open House
Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - drop in event, no formal presentations will be made
Location: Hamilton City Hall, Main Lobby
You are invited to attend the Rapid Transit Open House to review the current status and background of the project, meet the Rapid Transit Citizen's Advisory Committee, discuss land use planning opportunities and issues along the B-line corridor and learn about next steps.
Add your voice, make sure your concerns are being heard.
For more information, visit http://www.hamilton.ca/ProjectsInitiatives/RapidTransit/.
Friday, May 21, 2010
get the light right
Public input to 'inform' city's plan for light rail
Meredith Macleod, The Hamilton Spectator
(May 21, 2010)
Hamiltonians will be asked for their input on a proposed light rail project throughout the next 12 months of design and engineering work.
The city will establish a community advisory committee to work with a consultant leading the study, and there will be a number of public information sessions and other communication efforts.
"We will not be waiting until the end to say, 'Here's our plan, what do you think?' " said Jill Stephen, the city's director of strategic planning and rapid transit.
"We'll be getting input throughout and that will inform the plan."
The city announced yesterday it has hired Steer Davies Gleave, an international transportation consulting firm, to do the planning for the estimated $784-million light rail line from Eastgate Square to McMaster University.
It's expected the study will take a year and it kicks off a crucial period in Hamilton's quest to land light rail.
The report will look at everything from station location to the technology to run the trains. It will analyze how traffic will flow throughout the area and how property owners will be affected.
The study will also include a feasibility study into an LRT route from the waterfront to the airport.
Steer Davies Gleave has spearheaded transportation projects around the world and was the lead architect of the Metrolinx benefits case analysis for Hamilton.
The city is the only municipality so far to get a grant from the province for its transit planning study. Local officials point to that $3 million as proof that Hamilton is well on its way to LRT.
Rail spirits were further boosted this week when Metrolinx CEO Rob Prichard told the Hamilton Economic Summit that he anticipates the city's transit project will be the next major announcement.
But the agency has made no commitment to LRT and the province has not promised any funding.
There is clearly a timeline at play. Everyone is talking about the trains running by the Pan Am Games in 2015 and the project is a big component of the city's controversial bid to build a west harbour stadium.
Kathy Drewitt, executive director of the Downtown Hamilton BIA, says business owners are anxious to get answers about how light rail will affect them during and after construction.
The city's proposal includes converting Main and King to two-way traffic and the possibility of removing street parking in the core, restricting left turns to signalled intersections and potentially closing a section of King to vehicles.
"Business owners want to know where the stops will be, how they'll get deliveries into their buildings, how their customers will get to them ... we're hoping the consultant will answer those questions."
mmacleod@thespec.com
905-526-3408
Friday, February 12, 2010
LRT: down to the wire
The Hamilton Spectator is reporting that "LRT best and most costly option" according to a Metrolinx 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 documentThe 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.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
act rapidly!
McMaster and the City of Hamilton are seeking input from faculty, staff and students as work continues on a city rapid transit plan.
A campus-wide survey is being launched this week to learn more about the McMaster community’s transit usage and preferences. The consultation is part of the work underway to bring a rapid transit system to Hamilton, which would include a terminal on campus.
City representatives will be in the McMaster University Student Centre on December 1 and 2 to distribute and collect surveys. You can also complete survey online by visiting www.hamilton.ca/rapid-transit
McMaster is committed to working with the City to locate a rapid transit terminal on campus in an appropriate spot that provides convenient access to transit for the McMaster community and respects the campus plan. A key goal of the City is to effectively and efficiently serve the campus community and the survey will help create a better understanding of the needs of students, staff and faculty.
The City’s priority is a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system which includes a McMaster to Eastgate Square line. The City is working with Metrolinx, the provincial body responsible for expanding transit in southern Ontario. A decision is expected in the new year.
A campus-wide survey is being launched this week to learn more about the McMaster community’s transit usage and preferences. The consultation is part of the work underway to bring a rapid transit system to Hamilton, which would include a terminal on campus.
City representatives will be in the McMaster University Student Centre on December 1 and 2 to distribute and collect surveys. You can also complete survey online by visiting www.hamilton.ca/rapid-transit
McMaster is committed to working with the City to locate a rapid transit terminal on campus in an appropriate spot that provides convenient access to transit for the McMaster community and respects the campus plan. A key goal of the City is to effectively and efficiently serve the campus community and the survey will help create a better understanding of the needs of students, staff and faculty.
The City’s priority is a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system which includes a McMaster to Eastgate Square line. The City is working with Metrolinx, the provincial body responsible for expanding transit in southern Ontario. A decision is expected in the new year.
Monday, June 08, 2009
quick survey on rapid transit in Hamilton
Rapid Transit Survey
As Hamilton moves forward with plans to implement rapid transit in Hamilton, we want your thoughts on how you think the rapid transit initiative will best serve Hamilton. Help us by completing a short survey to provide your feedback and identify your preferred rapid transit alignment along the Main King corridor through downtown.
Access the survey online at www.hamilton.ca/rapid-transit or pick up a hard copy at some City of Hamilton offices, local libraries or municipal service centres. Comments are welcome at any time, but responses received by July 31, 2009 will be included in the September 2009 staff report to Council.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
two-timer
Public input on proposed line
The Hamilton Spectator, (Jun 4, 2009)
City staff are recommending King Street and Main Street revert back to
two-way traffic for the new rapid transit line proposed to cross
Hamilton between McMaster University and Eastgate Square.
Staff prefer a typical transit system running along the median of King
Street, with vehicle traffic in the north and south curb lanes. The
two main arteries would convert to two-way traffic between Paradise
Road in the west and the Delta in the east.
Council and citizens have overwhelmingly backed a Light Rail Transit
(LRT) for the line, but that still has to be decided by the provincial
agency MetroLinx and it could support a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
system.
Residents can learn more about the staff preference at an open house
next Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel, between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The city wants to hear what residents think about the proposed
operation and also to confirm support for a LRT. It held two open
houses this week, one held in west Hamilton Monday that was attended
by 20 people.
Lisa Zinkewich, senior project manager, said a transit line running
down the median would disrupt the least traffic and has also been
shown to boost economic development.
One resident, Larry Berberick, said at an open house last night he
prefers to have the system in the south curb lanes and keep Main and
King as one way streets.
"My thinking is this would be safer."
The Hamilton Spectator, (Jun 4, 2009)
City staff are recommending King Street and Main Street revert back to
two-way traffic for the new rapid transit line proposed to cross
Hamilton between McMaster University and Eastgate Square.
Staff prefer a typical transit system running along the median of King
Street, with vehicle traffic in the north and south curb lanes. The
two main arteries would convert to two-way traffic between Paradise
Road in the west and the Delta in the east.
Council and citizens have overwhelmingly backed a Light Rail Transit
(LRT) for the line, but that still has to be decided by the provincial
agency MetroLinx and it could support a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
system.
Residents can learn more about the staff preference at an open house
next Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel, between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The city wants to hear what residents think about the proposed
operation and also to confirm support for a LRT. It held two open
houses this week, one held in west Hamilton Monday that was attended
by 20 people.
Lisa Zinkewich, senior project manager, said a transit line running
down the median would disrupt the least traffic and has also been
shown to boost economic development.
One resident, Larry Berberick, said at an open house last night he
prefers to have the system in the south curb lanes and keep Main and
King as one way streets.
"My thinking is this would be safer."
Friday, April 03, 2009
July 2009 Decision Deadline for Rapid Transit
Ontario cash helps Hamilton move on transit
$3m in provincial study funding will focus on logistics of James-Upper James corridorDana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
(Apr 3, 2009)
A $3-million infusion of transit cash is a "strong indication" the province understands the needs of Hamilton, says Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
The funds are slated to help the city push forward on two proposed rapid transit lines, one on the King-Main corridor and the other on the James-Upper James corridor.
"We are clearly positioning ourselves to be part of the ... $11.5-billion Move Ontario funding envelope" that still has $2.5-billion in it, Eisenberger said. Hamilton's two projects are estimated to cost $1 billion.
The new $3 million is part of $9 billion in transit funding announced earlier this week by Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The lion's share of the pot, $7.2 billion, went to projects in Toronto, which are closer to starting construction than either of Hamilton's rapid transit lines. Another $1.4 billion was allocated to York Region, north of Toronto.
Bob Nichols, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation, said in an e-mail that Hamilton received the money to do work that will help it determine the potential for rapid transit, either light rail -- which council favours -- or buses. The money will help finalize plans for the corridors, he said.
"Decisions on future transit infrastructure funding will be made through the province's capital planning process and in the context of (the) Metrolinx regional transportation plan," Nichols said.
Eisenberger said the amount of cash the city got is "consistent with the way we've positioned our interests ... fully understanding that projects that are ready to go should go."
To date, Hamilton has focused the bulk of its work on the King-Main line, which is ready to be constructed first.
That proposal is now undergoing an analysis by the regional transportation body Metrolinx, which needs to give the thumbs-up before the line moves ahead.
Jill Stephen, director of strategic and environmental planning with the city, said the new funds will help with background work on the trickier James-Upper James corridor.
That work needs to be done before the project can be evaluated by Metrolinx.
"The escarpment provides a bit of a challenge for getting up and down, and the B-line (King-Main) is relatively flat," she said.
"So we want to make sure that we look at the lines together to see how we can co-ordinate all of the efforts."
Stephen said about $600,000 has been spent for work on the King-Main line.
Nicholas Kevlahan, spokesperson for Hamilton Light Rail, a residents' group advocating for light rail transit (LRT), said the cash from the province is a good sign.
"I think the fact that they're giving the city this amount of money when they know the city's pushing for LRT is a positive sign," he said.
City staff are planning to hold public information sessions in June to provide citizens with an update.
The Metrolinx board will make a decision on the city's King-Main line in July.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
take time for transit survey
Public Service Announcement
Help shape the future of Rapid Transit in Hamilton!
HAMILTON, ON – July 7, 2008 – Hamilton's Public Works Department is seeking your thoughts on the rapid transit initiative to shape a more sustainable future for Hamilton. Help us by completing a short survey to share your opinions about rapid transit plans for Hamilton.
Access the survey online at www.hamilton.ca/rapid-transit or at City of Hamilton offices, local libraries, municipal service centres and at the HSR ticket office at the Hamilton GO station. Feedback received by July 21st will be presented in a report to Council in September 2008. Public Works is committed to providing ongoing opportunities for public consultation throughout the planning process.
To review background information, reports, studies and a map of the proposed rapid transit routes, please visit www.hamilton.ca/rapid-transit
Friday, April 18, 2008
BRT or LRT? that is the question...
May 1, 2008: BRT or LRT? Comparing Alternatives, with Lessons from Waterloo Region
Public meeting and panel discussion.
Date: May 1, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: The FRWY Cafe
Address: 333 King St. E. (at Wellington St. N.) Hamilton ON L8N 1C1
Admission: free
Presenters
* Jillian Stephen, Manager, Strategic Planning, Public Works Department, City of Hamilton
* Becky Schlenvogt, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning, Region of Waterloo
* Bob Bratina, Ward 2 Councillor (MC)
Hamilton has a critical decision to make: when we build our new higher order transit systems, will we choose bus rapid transit (BRT) or light rail transit (LRT)? What's the difference? Which choice is better?
Jillian Stephen will present an overview of the rapid transit initiative and explain how to contribute to the public consultations. Then Hamilton Light Rail will show a presentation on LRT.
Keynote speaker Becky Schlenvogt will briefly discuss Waterloo Region's evaluation criteria and explain the differences between BRT and LRT.
A panel discussion will follow, during which the presenters will take questions from the audience.
There may never be a better opportunity for Hamilton to build a modern transportation system and enjoy the benefits of increased ridership, new investment, and improved quality of life.
Please come out to this important meeting.
Co-sponsored by Hamilton Light Rail (http://hamiltonlightrail.com) and Transit Users Group (http://hamiltontug.com).
For media inquiries, please contact Nicholas Kevlahan at email: kevlahan@gmail.com.
Public meeting and panel discussion.
Date: May 1, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: The FRWY Cafe
Address: 333 King St. E. (at Wellington St. N.) Hamilton ON L8N 1C1
Admission: free
Presenters
* Jillian Stephen, Manager, Strategic Planning, Public Works Department, City of Hamilton
* Becky Schlenvogt, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning, Region of Waterloo
* Bob Bratina, Ward 2 Councillor (MC)
Hamilton has a critical decision to make: when we build our new higher order transit systems, will we choose bus rapid transit (BRT) or light rail transit (LRT)? What's the difference? Which choice is better?
Jillian Stephen will present an overview of the rapid transit initiative and explain how to contribute to the public consultations. Then Hamilton Light Rail will show a presentation on LRT.
Keynote speaker Becky Schlenvogt will briefly discuss Waterloo Region's evaluation criteria and explain the differences between BRT and LRT.
A panel discussion will follow, during which the presenters will take questions from the audience.
There may never be a better opportunity for Hamilton to build a modern transportation system and enjoy the benefits of increased ridership, new investment, and improved quality of life.
Please come out to this important meeting.
Co-sponsored by Hamilton Light Rail (http://hamiltonlightrail.com) and Transit Users Group (http://hamiltontug.com).
For media inquiries, please contact Nicholas Kevlahan at email: kevlahan@gmail.com.
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