The Ontario government has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the move brings the province one step closer to getting shovels in the ground on major construction for a key transit project that will carry 50,000 daily riders across one of Ontario’s fastest-growing cities.

“Our government is making real progress on our historic plan to build and expand transit across the Greater Golden Horseshoe,” said Sarkaria. “As one of our priority rapid transit projects, the Hamilton LRT will reduce gridlock and connect thousands of families and workers to affordable public transit, improving quality of life and growing the economy for everyone.”

The scope of the Civil Works and Utility Relocations RFQ spans most of the project’s civil work, including utility relocations, roads, structures, grade separations, bridges, sidewalks and traffic control signals along the line. The province will evaluate the submissions and announce a shortlist of candidates that will then be invited to submit proposals to complete the work.

Once complete, the 14-kilometre Hamilton LRT will connect commuters to an expanded high-speed rail and GO network, offering service to McMaster University, City Hall, Tim Hortons Field, Eastgate Square, downtown Hamilton and other popular locations. The LRT line will offer residents fast and reliable service and connect workers to tens of thousands of well-paying jobs.

“I’m thrilled about today’s announcement. This long-anticipated news is a critical step in a historic investment in public transit for our city,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “Today’s announcement will also see the replacement of underground infrastructure such as water and wastewater with support from the province.”

In May 2021, the province and federal government announced an investment of up to $3.4 billion in transit infrastructure to support the construction of the Hamilton LRT. The governments are sharing the cost of the project equally.