The Government of Ontario is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Hamilton Light Rail Transit (LRT), bringing 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 Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “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 Civil Works and Utility Relocations RFQ invites contractors to submit a statement of qualifications to lead the construction of most civil work, including utility relocations, roads, structures, grade separations, bridges, sidewalks and traffic control signals along the 14-kilometre alignment. The province will evaluate the submissions and announce a shortlist of candidates who will then be invited to submit proposals to complete the work.

“Releasing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for civil and utility works demonstrates substantial progress and brings us one step closer to major construction on the Hamilton LRT. This project will be a game-changer for Hamilton, bringing better connections to local and regional transit and moving 50,000 riders daily,” said Phil Verster, president and CEO of Metrolinx.

The $3.4-billion Hamilton LRT project is No. 24 on ReNew Canada’s 2024 Top100 Projects report.

“The federal government is committed to delivering Hamilton’s LRT and is pleased to partner with the Government of Ontario to deliver fast, reliable and sustainable transit options to communities across the province,” said Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and MP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas. “As Hamilton grows, this new LRT will help residents get where they need to go.”

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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.

“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 Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton. “Today’s announcement, that the Ontario government has issued a Request for Qualifications for the City of Hamilton’s LRT, will also see the replacement of underground infrastructure such as water and wastewater with support from the province. I want to thank Premier Ford and the Ontario government for their continued support of this project, which will bring significant benefits to the residents and businesses of the City of Hamilton for many years to come.”

Feature image: (L to R) Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas MP Filomena Tassi; Ontario’s Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria; Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath; Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster; and Daniel Tisch, CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, outside Hamilton City Hall on Nov. 6.  (Government of Ontario)

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