Just as LRT is about to be implemented, is council support waning?
Sam Merulla says the vote should have been a simple "yes" to a $1billion investment
Hamilton city council put off a vote this week to reaffirm that it wants $1 billion for light-rail transit (LRT) in Hamilton. Now one city councillor worries it means somewant to scrap the project altogether.
And while only two say outright that they don't want it, others say they have some serious concerns.
Sam Merulla, Ward 4 councillor and LRT supporter, pushed council on Wednesday to reaffirm that it wants the provincial money. But council voted 9-6 to defer the decision until after they heard more about the project's design on May 18.
The city has already signed a memorandum of agreement with Metrolinxfor the project, which many describeas the largest game changer in Hamilton's recent history. Councillors have voted more than once to ask the province for money for it. Now construction is due to start in 2019.
Come out of the closet and admit that you've deceived the public, that you've deceived the residents of this city.- Coun. Sam Merulla
ButMerulla worries that Wednesday's vote means someare about to yank their support for LRTjust as it's being implemented.
"Unless I'm missing something, today (should)have been a simple yes," he said.
Merulla accused councillors of pulling away because they're "weak kneed and lack balls" about LRT.
"Come out of the closet and admit that you've deceived the public, that you've deceived the residents of this city, that you really didn't mean it when you voted for it, and now suddenly you've had a change of heart and you don't want that billion dollars," he said during the meeting.
"We are talking about one billion dollars."
Comments from some of the nine councillorsafterward show there's reason for concern.
Only two Chad Collins of Ward 5 and Donna Skelly of Ward 7 straight out say they don't want LRT.
When you start to migrate and you get out of the core, you hear very loudly from people that they're concerned.- Coun. Chad Collins
Collins once voted to ask the province for money, but hearing from constituentschanged his mind.
"When you start to migrate and you get out of the (downtown) core, you hear very loudly from people that they're concerned."
Other councillors still support it, but that support is softening. Many cite the need for transit improvements city-wide.
What about the Mountain?
Tom Jackson of Ward 6 says he always thought LRTwould free up buses for the Mountain, but now "I'm getting mixed messages" about that.
"That is bothering me quite a bit," he said.
Judi Partridge, councillor for Ward 15 in Flamborough, worries Hamilton will end up on the hook for unforeseen infrastructure costs. She also worries the city isn't ready for LRT.
"When I look at the other communities, they've done their due diligence," she said. "They've grown their ridership. They're now getting LRT and putting it in place, and when the LRT is done, it's going to be fantastic."
They're going to support it at the end of the day.But I think they'll do some kicking and screaming before it's done.- Mayor Fred Eisenberger
But Partridge said that wasn't why she moved to defer the vote until May 18. That's whenthe city's general issues committee will discuss the recent LRT design study, which includes critical details.
That plan deserves a full public hearing, she said.
Mayor has faith that LRT is a go
The $1-billion line will run from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle, and through most of that route, the plan says it'll be a segregated line down the centre of King Street. In the International Village, traffic will be down to one lane. There will also be a line running down James North from King Street to the West Harbour GO station or the waterfront, budget permitting.
Construction will start in 2019 and take about five years.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger isn't worried about the future of Hamilton LRT. He calls Wednesday's vote "political theatre."
Everyone knows LRT construction will be a bumpy ride, he said. But he doesn't believe most councillors wouldturn down $1 billion from the province.
"They're going to support it at the end of the day," he said. "But I think they'll do some kicking and screaming before it's done."
How they voted
In favour of the deferral:Terry Whitehead (Ward 8), Donna Skelly (7), Tom Jackson (6), Chad Collins (5), Doug Conley (9), Maria Pearson (10), Brenda Johnson (11), Rob Pasuta (14), Judi Partridge (15)
Opposed:Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Sam Merulla (4), Matthew Green (3), Jason Farr (2), Aidan Johnson (1), Lloyd Ferguson (12)
Not present:Arlene VanderBeek (13)
Coun. Sam Merulla's LRT motion
Whereas the Province of Ontario, in May 2015, announced $1.0 billion in funding for Hamilton's B-line (and north spur)LightRailTransit (LRT) project which begins the implementation of the City of Hamilton's rapid transit strategy; and
Whereas the provincial funding covers 100% of the capital cost of theLRTproject which includes investments to renew critical City infrastructure such as sidewalks, road surfaces, water and sewer lines along theLRTcorridor; and
Whereas the City of Hamilton has already entered into a Memorandum of Agreement withMetrolinxsignaling the City's intent to work collaboratively withMetrolinxto fully implement theLRTproject; and
Whereas it is acknowledged that theLRTproject is one part of the City of Hamilton's broader transit strategy as outlined in the City's Rapid Ready report and Ten Year Transit Strategy
Therefore, be it resolved, that Hamilton City Councilreaffirmthe acceptance of the $1.0 billion dollar investment in infrastructure and public transit that the Province of Ontario has provided for the express purpose of completing theLRTproject.
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