Mississauga Council Identifies Six Priority Transit Projects

By September 16, 2021Issues, Ward 1

Mississauga Council Identifies Six Priority Transit Projects

Local government | September 15, 2021

Today, City Council endorsed the top six priority transit projects for the City of Mississauga that will break gridlock, ease congestion, and ensure residents, visitors and commuters can access improved local and regionally connected public transit. All levels of government have a role to play in making these projects a reality.

“Our goal is to get Mississauga moving and to give people an option other than the car. The priority transit projects we have identified will connect our communities from the Airport Corporate Centre to our downtown core to the City’s waterfront, and to our neighbours to the east and west,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “These rapid transit lines will spur growth and development in our city, create jobs and service essential businesses, and allow us to achieve our goal of building complete, healthy communities where people can live, work and play. The job of building a great City is a shared responsibility, which is why we are calling on the federal and provincial levels of government to work together to build these critical projects.”

  • Lakeshore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): (and additional transit improvements along Lakeshore corridor)
    The Lakeshore corridor is experiencing significant growth and development and is a regional tourism and culture destination. There is a great need for transit solutions that will allow people to move quickly to and along this important corridor in our City.

The Lakeshore BRT project looks at how to connect the communities of Lakeview, Port Credit and Clarkson communities over the next 25 years, as well as the mobility needs of those living and working on the Lakeshore Corridor. The City is conducting environmental assessments studies for a two-kilometre stretch of centre-running bus rapid transit lanes on Lakeshore Road between Etobicoke Creek and East Avenue; a new active transportation bridge crossing the Credit River north of Lakeshore Road and exploring options to improve the experience for people travelling along Lakeshore Road and Royal Windsor Drive from East Avenue to Oakville.

Funding: Both federal and provincial governments have announced funding for the construction of the first section of the Lakeshore BRT through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP) – Public Transit stream.

The Dundas corridor is important to the redevelopment and growth of the City as a whole and is an important east-west connection. When complete, the Dundas BRT will form a critical portion of the regional transit network, connecting to the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (HuLRT) and the Milton GO line.

The City and Metrolinx are working together to obtain environmental assessment approvals through the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for the Dundas Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project. The Dundas BRT is planned to run for 48 kilometres along Dundas Street from Highway 6 in Hamilton to the Kipling Transit Hub in Toronto. This includes approximately 17 kilometres in Mississauga.

Funding: Metrolinx is in the process of securing funding to move to the next phase of study which is the preparation of a Preliminary Design Business Case. City staff will continue to work with Metrolinx on this significant project, emphasizing the importance of its location and function for Mississauga. The City has also applied for funding under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) – Public Transit stream for the design and construction of a 7 km priority segment of the Dundas BRT from the Toronto border to Confederation Parkway. The City is eagerly awaiting a decision from the federal and provincial governments on this application.

  • Downtown Mississauga Terminal and Transitway Connection:The Downtown Mississauga Terminal and Transitway Connection (DMTTC) connects the existing Mississauga Transitway along Rathburn Road/Centre View Drive through the City’s downtown core, with a terminal that serves both MiWay and GO Transit. When complete, the terminal will serve four modes of transit.

The terminal is a critical element for the HuLRT and supports future growth in the downtown. The City and Metrolinx have been working together to come to an understanding on a vision for the terminal that would integrate with the HuLRT, and commercial development directly above and/or adjacent to the proposed terminal site. City staff will continue to work with Metrolinx on this significant project, emphasizing the importance of its location and function for Mississauga’s downtown.

Funding: Metrolinx is in the process of securing funding to move to the next phase of study, preparation of a Preliminary Design Business Case.

The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension is a key priority for the City as it will serve the Airport Corporate Centre, the second largest cluster of employment in the Greater Toronto Area, and connect to Toronto Pearson Airport, a global hub of travel and commerce.

Metrolinx is undertaking the ECWE project to extend the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit corridor from Mount Dennis Station in Toronto to the Renforth Transitway Station in Mississauga, with a planned connection to Toronto Pearson Airport and proposed station in the Airport Corporate Centre. With connections to the Renforth Transitway Station, the ECWE is a key connection to the Mississauga Transitway and provides LRT service for employees in Toronto working in Mississauga. The City is working with Metrolinx to identify permits and approvals required for the tunnel work and respond to application submissions in a timely manner.

Funding: This project is being delivered through Infrastructure Ontario’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) model.

The Milton Corridor is the third busiest in the GO network, serving over 7 million passengers per year. Travel patterns have changed and Mississauga is now a net-importer of jobs. All-day, two-way service on the Milton Corridor is critical to unlocking Mississauga’s future potential.

The Milton GO line is a key local and regional rapid transit corridor that, with increased two-way all-day service, will help respond to growing traffic congestion, meet the demand for inter-regional transit service and support economic development. Council and staff will continue to advocate for increased service along the Milton GO line and provide Council with updates. The revised business case is availableInvesting in the Milton GO Line Bringing All-Day, Two-Way GO Service

Funding: In August 2021, the federal government committed to funding for expanding the Milton GO service to all day, two way. There has been no commitment from the provincial government to date.

  • Hurontario LRT Downtown LRT Loop: In March 2019, the Ontario government announced scope changes to the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (HuLRT) project that removed a key component – the Downtown loop. The Downtown LRT loop was proposed to circle around the downtown core, to support projected residential and employment growth forecasted over the next 30 years such as M City (currently under construction) and proposed infill development on Oxford lands located on the north side of Rathburn Road and Square One Shopping Centre. Higher order transit in Downtown Mississauga is critical to providing multi-modal transportation options to, from and around the area, in supporting growth and addressing traffic congestion.

Funding: The City is advocating to the federal and provincial governments for funding for the Downtown LRT loop.

“Transit is an important component of our Transportation Master Plan that helps shape Mississauga’s transportation system. We are being strategic, moving forward with the right projects for growing a multi-modal transportation system that offers safe and efficient ways to move around the City and connect with other destinations,” said Geoff Wright, Commissioner, Transportation and Works.

As programs develop for transit initiatives, funding requests will be included through the City’s Business Plan and Capital Budget process and presented to Council for consideration.

“With our transit priorities identified, we can focus on our financial planning and readiness should programs, resources or funding become available from other levels of government,” said Shari Lichterman, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “Understanding, identifying and confirming our transit-related priorities allows us the insight we need when reviewing our capital budget where there are many competing priorities and limited municipal resources to fund them.”

For more information: 2021 Update Transit Initiatives and Priorities