The biggest infrastructure project in London's history has received a major cash injection from the province.
Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced up to $170-million toward the city's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Monday. He was joined by Deputy Premier and London North Centre MPP Deb Matthews and Mayor Matt Brown at city hall.
"It will provide commuters with 23.7 km of rapid transit along London's busiest corridors, connecting neighbourhoods, businesses, and institutions in the city with a hub in the downtown core," said Del Duca. "As with any major transit or infrastructure project I know that the city will continue to work with residents, business, and the entire community to make sure that we get this right."
Brown described the funding announcement as both huge and fantastic.
"Today we have 170-million reasons to be excited," said Brown.
The provincial funds cover roughly one-third of the $498-million BRT price tag. With London’s financial contribution to BRT capped at $130-million, the remainder of the funding would have to come from the federal government.
"We can't do this without all three levels of government working together. We have a significant ask into the government as a part of their phase II infrastructure funding program and I am very optimistic," said Brown. "There is a timeline that is in place. There are conversations happening between the federal government and the provinces to allow funds to flow and I am very optimistic that we will receive good news from the federal government in the months to come as well."
The provincial funds were awarded to the city based on the updated business case submitted last summer. If this fall's municipal election results in a change of power, to a council that wants significant BRT changes, the city would lose these funds.
"It really means to me that this is a done deal now," said Councillor Phil Squire. "We are going to get some federal money, we are going to be doing something in rapid transit, and it really is just a matter of how it plays out. For a politician to say they want to cancel the rapid transit project or revamp the rapid transit project, they are going to say no to this money and I am going to have to see what my constituents think about that."
Construction is expected to begin on the east corridor in 2020, and on the north corridor in 2022. An environmental assessment is continuing and the city has begun purchasing properties along the corridors, according to Brown.
Rapid transit has been a controversial topic in the city, drawing criticism from anti-BRT groups, mainly Down Shift, a group largely made up of downtown business owners. Over 900 people packed Budweiser Gardens last May for a six-hour public participation meeting on BRT that saw the vast majority of speakers voicing concerns. The project has also come under fire from Londoners several times since as the business case underwent numerous revisions, including a shift from light rail to bus only, alternate routes, and the elimination of a tunnel under Richmond St.
Even Monday's funding announcement wasn't without its controversy as city councillors were not made aware of the news conference until mere hours before it was slated to begin.
"I think there is a sense of disappointment that they didn't get a telephone call or anything indicating that something was coming," said Squire, who was able to make it from his day job as a lawyer to the funding announcement. "Generally what is happening now, from my point of view, when major announcements are made councillors are given minimal notice of those announcements... when you don't tell people about something they can't participate and it is as simple as that. I know a couple of my colleagues are upset about it, I share their disappointment."
Councillors Stephen Turner, Jesse Helmer, Maureen Cassidy, and Jared Zaifman were present at Monday's announcement.
