It is an ambitious plan and one that carries with it a hefty price tag.
The wrapping has been taken off the preferred proposal for rapid transit in London and it would cost about $850-million. A staff report going to Monday's meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recommends the city choose, from among four options, a hybrid of light rail and bus service.
The cost, estimated at between $850-million and $900-million, would be split among the city, the province, and the federal government. The city's share would be $125-million which would come from development charges collected over two decades.
The preferred proposal, seen in the photo above, would see the north and east routes served by light rail while the south and west routes would have buses.
The north and east line would connect Masonville Place, Western University, Western Research Park, LHSC (University Campus), St. Joseph’s Hospital, downtown London, Old East Village, the London Psychiatric Hospital redevelopment lands, Fanshawe College and eventually the London International Airport.
The south and west lines would connect White Oaks Mall, LHSC (Victoria campus, Children's Hospital), downtown London and the Oxford-Wonderland residential and commercial hub.
The report going to the SPPC points out several reasons why a rapid transit plan is critical to the future of the city, including the fact that all of the ten largest urban centres in Canada have some form of rapid transit. London is the 11th largest city in the country.
Public consultations about the proposal will be held next month.
The entire report going to the SPPC can be read here.
