LRT debate

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Hamilton can’t back out of the LRT without a messy divorce from the province and Metrolinx, but nothing is a done deal. The city is planning to break ground for the LRT in 2018 and councillors who are part of its implementation committee debated at city hall all afternoon.

Councillor Terry Whitehead got a lot of criticism for an LRT report he released yesterday, but he says he was trying to pose valid questions. Some King Street businesses, for example, want to know why the LRT won’t go down Main Street instead. Whitehead says enough research hasn’t been done but the council was told it would set the city back a year to consider other options. Whitehead thinks Hamilton should first learn more about expected ridership and operation costs. He’s also like to see the first phase of construction go all the way to Eastgate Mall.

The plan is flexible though and today the committee agreed to move one LRT stop closer to the shops and restaurants of International Village.