After years of work in Mississauga and Brampton, along with various project delays, the head of Metrolinx announced that major construction on the Hazel McCallion Light Rail Transit (LRT) line is set to extend well into 2027. Michael Lindsay, Metrolinx’s president and CEO, emphasized progress has been made in various aspects of the project.
In a Tuesday announcement that coincided with the completion of tunneling for the Eglinton Crosstown West extension, Lindsay discussed the 18-kilometre light-rail line. The conversation arose after a notice was issued indicating that crews would begin testing trains on a crucial segment of the tracks. Lindsay noted that the trial movements of trains would be informed by lessons learned from the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch West LRT projects, aiming to expedite “system integration” testing, which is a critical phase for commissioning the new light-rail line.
According to Lindsay, “We’ve hit every civil infrastructure milestone we set for ourselves over the course of last year,” highlighting that 75 percent of the track work is completed, the guideways are almost finished, and eight out of fourteen traction power substations are now energized, along with the maintenance and storage facility.
Lindsay expects that the entire civil infrastructure for the project will be completed by approximately this time next year. Following that, the project will enter a testing phase similar to what was experienced during the Eglinton and Finch projects.
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria acknowledged that while building transit is challenging, there has been visible progress, noting that crews have even been working on weekends. He stated, “It tells you the level of teams we have out there on this line trying to complete it as quickly as possible.” However, no specific timeframe was provided for the final testing and commissioning work, which may extend the opening of the 19-stop, $5.4 billion line to late 2027 or even into 2028.
Beginning as early as Wednesday, trains may start moving from the storage yard near Kennedy Road South and Highway 407 to the intersection of Hurontario Street and Topflight Drive, a key junction for light-rail vehicles entering and exiting service. It was reported that this intersection had previously been completely torn up and rebuilt due to “track rework” issues.
The tendering process for the project was initiated in late 2016 under the previous government, with construction commencing in early 2020 by Mobilinx, a private-sector consortium. The project faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and aging infrastructure. Initially, substantial completion was projected for 2024. However, ongoing issues have pushed timelines further back.
Local Reactions to the Updated Timeline
Mississauga resident and commuter Edward Ramirez expressed his reliance on the bus terminal near Hurontario Street and Topflight Drive for connecting rides. He mentioned dissatisfaction with the current scheduling along Hurontario Street, which sometimes leads to 30 to 40-minute wait times for transfers. While Ramirez remains skeptical about the LRT's immediate benefits for commuters like himself, he hopes improvements will evolve over time.
Anna Mikus, executive director of the Cooksville Business Improvement Area, discussed the challenges faced by local business owners during the construction process. She pointed out a noticeable turnover and an increase in vacancy rates within the area. Although the community is excited about the future LRT, Mikus voiced concerns about the ongoing construction delays impacting local businesses. She has called for direct financial assistance and an advertising fund to help draw customers back, emphasizing the importance of supporting these establishments through the transition period.
David Wojcik, president and CEO of the Mississauga Board of Trade, echoed the concerns regarding the detrimental impact on businesses living under the prolonged construction phase, which has lasted nearly a decade. He noted varying levels of enthusiasm from business owners depending on their proximity to construction hotspots and urged that the project be completed promptly to enhance the city’s transportation network.
Overall, while there is hope and excitement regarding the eventual benefits of the Hazel McCallion LRT line, the project continues to encounter delays that affect both commuters and local businesses, raising calls for more support during this challenging phase.
