BLAST network

BLAST network
Overview
LocaleHamilton, Ontario, Canada
Transit typeLight rail / bus rapid transit
Number of lines5
Website(Re)envision the HSR
Operation
Operator(s)Hamilton Street Railway
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
System map

The BLAST network was a plan for a frequent rapid transit system in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The system is planned to include five routes, with two light rail transit (LRT) lines, and three bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.

In 2019, the City of Hamilton launched a project entitled (Re)envision the HSR, which was an evolution on the BLAST network. The new plan includes an additional E-Line. As a result, the BLAST network branding is no longer used.

Background

In 1981, during Bill Davis's Progressive Conservative administration, the Province of Ontario offered to finance the construction of a light metro in Hamilton from Lloyd D. Jackson Square to the Lime Ridge Mall. The line would have employed the ICTS platform used in the Scarborough RT in Toronto and the Expo Line in Vancouver. The plan, however, faced significant local opposition, and Hamilton-Wentworth Council rejected the proposal. The plan called for an elevated track – one of the elements that triggered opposition, with residents suggesting commuters would be invading their privacy by looking down on their back-yards and in their second floor windows.[1]

BLAST was conceived as part of the city's 2007 transportation master plan. It was later incorporated by Metrolinx as part of its regional transportation plan, The Big Move.[2][3] The B-Line LRT and A-Line were among the plan's prioritized transit expansion projects and were funded by the Government of Ontario in May 2015.[4]

By 2019, Hamilton and Metrolinx were preparing to build the B-Line (Hamilton LRT).[5] Land acquisition and building demolition for a 14-kilometre (8.7 mi) line from McMaster University to Eastgate Square had started.[6] On December 16, 2019, the Government of Ontario announced it was cancelling its funding for the BLAST system's B-Line LRT, due to cost overruns.[7] The provincial Ministry of Infrastructure noted that provincial funds originally planned for the Hamilton LRT project would be redistributed to other transportation infrastructure projects, with consultation with a newly formed Hamilton Transportation Task Force and Hamilton's city council.[8] On April 9, 2020, the Hamilton Transportation Task Force released the report, suggested that the city need a "higher order transit project", and it could be either LRT on B-Line or BRT on both B-Line and A-Line.[9]

On February 9, 2021, the province reversed its decision and reinstated the project as the Hamilton LRT.[10]

Proposed lines

The B-Line LRT and A-Line BRT are the top transit priorities for the City of Hamilton and were originally scheduled for completion in 2024.[11]

The Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan 2041 outlines a proposed regional transportation network for service by 2041.[12] It includes four priority bus routes and an LRT to run on the north portion of the A-Line. BRT and LRT transit lines included in Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan include:

Line Type Corridor / main route Termini Opening Target
LRT Main Street, King Street and Queenston Road McMaster University Eastgate Square 2024
BRT University Plaza McMaster University Before 2041
BRT Highway 6 and York Boulevard Downtown Hamilton Waterdown Before 2041
LRT James Street and Upper James Street Hamilton Waterfront Hamilton International Airport Before 2041
BRT 2024
BRT Centennial Parkway, Upper Centennial Parkway, Rymal Road and Garner Road Ancaster Business Park Confederation GO Station Before 2041
BRT Kenilworth Avenue, Upper Ottawa Street, and Mohawk Road Meadowlands The Centre on Barton Before 2041

Though the A-Line and B-Line projects were targeted for 2024, the timeframe for both has slipped significantly. On November 6, 2024, Metrolinx issued a request for qualifications for utility relocation and renewal, roads, sidewalks and traffic control signals along the B-Line route.[13] No timeline is currently provided for the beginning of construction or updated target date for opening.

References

  1. ^ Cory Ruf (May 27, 2014). "LRT and lessons to be learned from Hamilton's first flirtation with urban trains: In 1981, Council turned down elevated train line, despite province's vow to foot most of the bill". CBC News. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014.
  2. ^ "Routes and Corridor Maps". City of Hamilton. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  3. ^ "The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  4. ^ Kevlahan, Nicholas (May 26, 2015). "Hamilton Gets YES for an Answer". Raise the Hammer. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  5. ^ Craggs, Samantha (April 11, 2019). "Provincial budget confirms - again - that Hamilton will get LRT". CBC News. Archived from the original on June 25, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Craggs, Samantha (March 28, 2019). "Metrolinx resumes buying land for Hamilton LRT after 7-month pause". CBC News. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Craggs, Samantha (December 30, 2019). "With the province pulling money from LRT, will BRT have its time?". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on January 19, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  8. ^ "Important announcement regarding Hamilton LRT project". www.infrastructureontario.ca. Queen's Printer for Ontario. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "Hamilton Transportation Task Force Report". Ontario. April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 30, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  10. ^ Craggs, Samantha (February 9, 2021). "LRT is back on the table in Hamilton — but depends on the feds, province says". CBC. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  11. ^ Dongen, Matthew Van (February 3, 2017). "All you ever wanted to know about BRT in Hamilton". The Hamilton Spectator. ISSN 1189-9417. Archived from the original on January 7, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  12. ^ "Regional Transportation Plan 2041" (PDF). Metrolinx. p. 26. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  13. ^ Chandler, Justin (November 6, 2024). "Ontario starting process to hire contractor for Hamilton LRT construction work". CBC. Archived from the original on November 29, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.