Province supports extension of LRT line to Eastgate Square but offers no new money

Transportation Minister Steven Del Ducasays the province supports the extension of Hamilton's LRT line to Eastgate Square but it'soffering no new money to make it happen.

In a letter to Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Del Duca says the province will work with the city tomake it happen through the current $1 billion provided, but that is contingent on support from Hamilton council.

The letter comes on the cusp of a crucial city council vote Wednesday many have feared would fail without some provincial support for the Eastgateextension.

The question now is: Is this enough to swing the vote?

• Read the letter from the mayor to Steven Del Duca
• Steven Del Duca's letter to the mayor

Six of council's 16 members are steadfast supporters, while the rest have said they areundecided or opposed. Council will vote tonight whether to approve an update to a 2011 environmental assessment. Without that approval, the project stalls and risks what some have called "death by delay.".

Terry Whitehead, a Ward 8councillorwho's been skeptical about LRT, said this announcement is enough to convince him to approve the EA.

"It's not ideal," he said of the letter and its lack of new funds."I was hoping for a little more. Having said that, the letter certainly indicates their intent to establish Eastgate."

Maria Pearson, an undecided Ward 10 councillor, said it hasn't changed much for her, but "we'll see whathappens tonight."

The letter pledges the project will go to Eastgate Square, but it won't change the timeline or the cost of the project, said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and assistant to the premier, in an interview with CBC Hamilton Wednesday. And he hopes this influences the vote.

"I have some indication, through some of the conversations I've had with people at city hall, that there may be enough votes with this commitment from the province to work with the city," McMeekin said.

LRT running to Eastgate Square, he pointed out, was the original plan. That plan was then changed to run from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle when the province announced$1 billion to build the project in 2015.

Del Duca's letter says the province will work with Hamilton make it happen through the current project "scope and procurement" and to look forcost savings in other areas of the project to find the money.

His letter also references "consideration of available funding to address any additional cost requirements if necessary." It's not clear if that is talking about consideration of more provincial money or the city kicking in some money to make the extension happen.

In 2015, the province said the revised plan allowed it tobuild an LRT spur line down James Street North. But it has since found the ridership isn't worth the cost. Then it floated anA line bus rapid transit (BRT) planfrom the waterfront to the airport, but that didn'twin expected accolades from Mountain councillors.

At least four councillorspreviously interviewed by CBC News say they'remore likely to approve the project if it goes to Eastgate Square. That includes Arlene VanderBeek, councillor for Ward 13 in Dundas.

"It's a much better plan if it goes to Eastgate Square," she said.