More Transit Could be Coming to Brampton

Published July 22, 2019 at 9:52 pm

While the car is still king in Brampton, the demand for more and better public transportation is mounting.

While the car is still king in Brampton, the demand for more and better public transportation is mounting.

While the city is set to welcome the Hurontario LRT, a $1 billion higher-order transit project that will span 18 km and run from Port Credit GO at Lakeshore Rd. in the south to the Brampton Gateway Terminal at Steeles Ave in the north, it now has the opportunity to secure more transit funding from the province and federal government. 

Starting now, 11 municipalities across the GTHA can apply for funding to support new transit projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Public Transit Stream. 

These projects, including the five transit projects nominated in Toronto and York Region in May, could unlock up to $12.45 billion in federal and provincial funding.

“People in Ontario count on infrastructure to get to work, shop and get home to their families,” said Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure. “Our government’s investments in the GTHA will make public transit infrastructure better, safer and more accessible.”

The province–which recently promised to continue funding the shorter and loopless Hurontario LRT after months of concerning silence on the project–says it will continue to work with the federal government and seek increased funding towards priority transit projects.

The eligible municipalities that can apply for funding are Brampton, Burlington, Durham Region, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton, Mississauga, Oakville, Peel Region, Toronto and York Region.

The municipalities can apply from now until October 24, 2019.

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30-billion, 10-year infrastructure program cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent, or $10.2 billion spread across four streams: rural and northern, public transit, green, and community, culture and recreation.

“These projects represent a step forward in helping people and goods move around the GTHA quickly and efficiently,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Combining the resources of the federal and provincial governments helps to deliver on our commitment to a balanced, fiscally-responsible plan for public transit infrastructure projects. These projects will reduce congestion and create new transportation capacity throughout the region.”

Ontario is currently reviewing over 200 applications received by more than 50 municipalities for transit projects outside the GTHA.

How each city will use the funding remains to be seen, but with Brampton growing and urbanizing, it’s safe to assume it will use any funds it manages to accumulate to, ideally, create a more connected (and less car-reliant, perhaps) city.

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