Metrolinx to hold public meeting about Hamilton LRT on Thursday

Metrolinx is set to hold a virtual public meeting Thursday evening for residents to discuss the Hamilton LRT project.

The meeting is expected to begin with a presentation addressing updates to the project, the recently announced design changes and the 2020 Building Transit Faster Act.

The live virtual event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Those interested in attending the meeting can register through the Metrolinx website.

This comes two weeks after the provincial agency announced a major reroute of the LRT design that will see trains travelling on a reconstructed Main Street Bridge.

Metrolinx says that the redesign was prompted by the city’s commitment to convert Main Street from a one-way to a two-way roadway through the downtown core.

READ MORE: Metrolinx announces major re-route of Hamilton LRT project

The proposed refinement plans will see the reconstruction of the Main Street bridge, along with the reconstruction of both ramps of Highway 403 and a full replacement of Frid Street.

Metrolinx says that residents will soon see the first shovels in the ground for the new 14-kilometre LRT system as crews begin to relocate water mains and other larger procurement efforts to allow for more significant construction to take place.

Housing advocates in the area have voiced concerns over displacements as Metrolinx began collecting properties for the project.

In June, the transit agency said it had collected 60 properties. At that time, it was reported that 43 had been demolished, while 35 full buyouts and 300 partial buyouts remained to be done.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton’s LRT moves forward, but concerns arise over private involvement