Raise the Hammer

That's why Hamilton appears about to raise a motion to ask for more A-Line funds.

Brampton's LRT cancellation may expand Hamilton LRT funding: http://www.raisethehammer.org/article/27...

Specifically, see these tweets commented by Douglas and in the tweets, Jason Farr followed up already:

John Neary said about the new funds (from Brampton LRT cancellation) on Twitter:

John Neary ‏@jddneary Oct 28 @moore_oliver #HamOnt should ask for this $$ for the A-line

Jason Farr has a motion to ask for these funds for A-Line LRT:

Jason Farr Ham On ‏@JasonFarrHamOnt Oct 29 @jddneary @moore_oliver @FredEisenberger @MGreenWard3 @aidan_johnson @raisethehammer I have drafted a motion that will address this, John.

Jason Farr Ham On ‏@JasonFarrHamOnt Oct 29 @RyanMcGreal Done. Note it is a draft and efforts already underway on this. As well, I will work closely w mayor / Committe and C Murray

This isn't impossible.

Ottawa's starting Phase 2 LRT almost immediately after Phase 1 LRT.

And Kitchener-Waterloo is wanting to do LRT extensions fairly quickly.

We shouldn't inherit "Toronto" attitude here, Hamilton can link both A-Line (at least to Limeridge) and B-Line sooner than many of us may think is possible with Hamilton politics. We finally now have the right political climate to get B-Line finally started with 2017 procurement (contract signing before election), 2019 construction and 2023 completion. Only 3 councillors opposed transit-friendly development.

So I agree with you, bring on the starter segment of Mountain A-Line (to major destinations like St Joes, Mohawk, Limeridge, etc). But B-Line is where things will definitely get started, it's too late to change it according to the September 23 meeting or that we lose the funding (just like Brampton). It isn't a perfect LRT route, but it gets us started and something we can expand to the Mountain with!

Please, please do not assume that just because B-Line is being built first (the only LRT that can sucessfully be signed into contract before next election), we're not pressing hard (As LRT advocates) to get it up to the Mountain destinations as soon as possible.

We can't afford to play like Toronto. Fortunately, our mayor is not a Rob Ford. We need to play like Ottawa and Kitchener/Waterloo with A-Line construction beginning immediately after B-Line construction.

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Obviously, this isn't necessarily mutually exclusive with a LINC/RHVP widening which (personally) I'm willing to tolerate as long as Mountain lets Lower City begin the LRT ASAP (which will also allow it to Mountain sooner).

Comment edited by mdrejhon on 2015-11-04 12:03:33