The federal government has committed $123 million toward 10 transit projects in London, including three legs of the now pared down bus rapid transit (BRT) system.
Local MPs Kate Young and Peter Fragiskatos made the massive funding announcement outside of London city hall on Friday.
"Despite all the debate the one thing Londoners agreed on is that London needs and deserves a better transportation system and network," said Young.
The bulk of the cash from the feds – $91-million – will go toward the three council-approved segments of the BRT network, which consists of the east London link, the Wellington gateway in the south end, and the downtown loop on King Street and Queens Avenue.
The remaining money will be used for seven other smaller transportation projects including intersection improvements and road widening at Oxford Street and Wharncliffe Road, new buses and shelters, and cycling infrastructure.
"One of the most exciting projects that we will be funding is intelligent traffic signals, so you don't consistently hit red light after red light," said Young. "It will improve travel time and cut down on frustration of driving in this city. By investing in innovative traffic technology we are helping improve transit reliability and cut commute times."
The contentious 24-kilometre take-it-or-leave-it BRT system was broken down into 19 stand-alone pieces in March. From there London city council selected and approved 10 to be submitted for funding from upper levels of government. In June, the provincial government announced its support of the new approach, kicking in $103.5-million. But whether the feds would green-light the plan had remained up in the air until now.
"The real turning point in all of this, I believe, was when the plan moved away from being a transit-only plan to being one that emphasized transportation as well," said Fragiskatos. "There is something here for transit commuters, there is something here for cyclists, there is something here for drivers. It is an all-encompassing plan. We at the federal level saw that."
With the federal government now on side, Mayor Ed Holder is optimistic construction could start as early as next year.
"It is time to move London forward. It is time to believe in the art of the possible. Where there was division, there is now cooperation, where there was complacency there is now urgency, where there was talk, there is now action. After years of literal and figurative gridlock London is finally on the move," said Holder, who noted Friday's announcement is the single largest infrastructure project in London’s history.
He stressed the 10 transit projects will stimulate job growth and improve road safety for all.
London's share of the projects is now pegged at $148 million.
