Time to make the Big Move

Shovels should be in the ground to build the east-west rapid transit route by 2010, although we don't know what form this rapid transit will take.

By Mark McNeil, Last Updated Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Published as an editorial in the Hamilton Spectator on Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

The $50-billion transit megaproject outlined in a new draft report by Metrolinx is great news for this city as well as for what is becoming known as the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

For decades, urban growth has been proceeding at a much faster pace than the transportation infrastructure needed to support it. The evidence can be found in the horrendous gridlock between Hamilton and Toronto, and inadequate rapid transit within communities and between communities. It has led to an over-reliance on the automobile and all the negative economic and environmental consequences.

That's why yesterday's report - The Big Move, Transforming Transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area - is an important step forward.

For one thing, the report recognizes the problem is not solely centred on the Greater Toronto Area. Hamilton is very much caught up in this mess -- with incalculable negative effects on the local economy.

Hamilton basically needs two things: It must vastly improve its east-west and north-south public transit routes so people can move more quickly and efficiently within the city. And it needs a dramatic expansion of GO Train service so people can more easily move between Hamilton and other communities within the GTHA.

Both these problems were recognized in the report, which calls for them to be addressed within 15 years. In fact, shovels should be in the ground to build the east-west route by 2010, although we don't know what form this rapid transit will take. One would hope and expect it would be some kind of light rail system (costing $1.1 billion), although buses are a possible recommendation.

The east-west route would run between McMaster University and Centennial Parkway and the north-south would connect the waterfront to Hamilton's airport. A third route along Mohawk Road would connect Ancaster to Main Street.

The Big Move report also calls for multibillion-dollar improvements in GO Train service by 2016 - to a point that we in Hamilton could grab a train every five minutes during peak times and every 15 minutes at other times.

The McGuinty government's 25-year plan to dramatically improve public transit in the GTHA assumes a 35 per cent commitment from Ottawa. It's hoped that money will be forthcoming.

In terms of the plan outlined in the draft report, the Hamilton portion should be seen as an essential element.

The improvements would be transformative in Hamilton. They would lay the groundwork for healthy future growth and prosperity for generations to come.

The changes would be big and expensive.

But this is the Right Move.