Mississauga identifies six priority transit projects
Mississauga City Council has identified six transit projects that it says will “break gridlock, ease congestion, and ensure residents, visitors and commuters can access improved local and regionally connected public transit.”
Council made the announcement on September 15, adding that, “all levels of government had 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.”
One of the projects listed is the Lakeshore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and additional transit improvements along Lakeshore corridor. The project would look at ways to connect the communities of Lakeview, Port Credit and Clarkson over the next 25 years, as well as the mobility needs of those living and working on the Lakeshore Corridor. The city is currently performing environmental assessment studies on several aspects of the project, and has received funding from the federal and provincial governments the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan for the first section of work.
The Dundas Bus Rapid Transit project is also on the city’s priority list. The Dundas corridor is an important east-west connection in the city. The Dundas BRT will form a critical portion of the regional transit network, connecting to the Hurontario Light Rail Transit and the Milton GO line. The city is working with Metrolinx to obtain environmental assessment approvals for the project, and has applied for funding from the federal and provincial governments.
The Downtown Mississauga Terminal and Transitway Connection aims to connect the Mississauga Transitway with a terminal that serves both MiWay and GO Transit. The terminal would become a critical element for the Hurontario LRT, and the city is working with Metrolinx to create a vision for the project that would integrate with the LRT and commercial development directly above or adjacent to the proposed site.
The Extension of the Eglinton Crosstown West (ECWE) LRT will connect Toronto’s Mount Dennis Station to the Renforth Transitway Station in Mississauga, with a planned connection to Toronto Pearson Airport and a proposed station in the Airport Corporate Centre. In so doing, the project will become a key connection to the Mississauga Transitway and provide LRT service for Toronto residents who work in Mississauga.
The Milton GO Rail line is a key local and regional rapid transit corridor. The city is advocating for increased two-way all-day service along the line to respond to growing traffic congestion, meet the demand for inter-regional transit service and support economic development.
The federal government committed funding for expanding the project in August, but the province has yet to make any announcement.
Finally, the Hurontario LRT Downtown LRT Loop would see a transit circle created around the downtown core to support residential and employment growth forecasted over the next 30 years.
“Transit is an important component of our Transportation Master Plan that helps shape Mississauga’s transportation system,” said Transportation and Works Commissioner Geoff Wright. “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.”
Featured image: Rendering of proposed renovations to Mississauga’s City Centre Transit Terminal, which will be completed this fall. (City of Mississauga)