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Nine transit projects in Waterloo region will see $211 million in federal and provincial investments, it was announced Thursday.
The projects include the Region of Waterloo’s new transit hub, purchasing more hybrid buses, improving paths and pedestrian bridges and other general transit operations that will aim to improve accessibility, comfort and safety for riders.
In total, there is $291 million in investments. The breakdown of the funding is:
$115 million from the federal government through the public transit infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.$96 million from the provincial government.$80 million from the Region of Waterloo.
Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris, who is also Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources, said in a media release that the funding will help Waterloo region grow.
“We’re helping improve reliability, strengthening our local economy, and opening opportunities for our community. This is a major win for commuters and families across our region,” Harris said in a press release.
Regional Chair Karen Redman highlighted the importance of teamwork between all levels of government.
“The takeaway word of the day is collaboration,” she said at the announcement Wednesday.
“Today’s announcement shows you how when all levels of government work together, we can deliver modern, reliable and affordable public transit for Waterloo region.”
Transit hub construction expected next year
The new transit hub will go at the corner of King Street W. and Victoria Street N. and will serve as main location for people to connect with Via and GO trains, the Ion LRT, buses and trails.
Harris says the new hub is the “crown jewel” of the nine projects being funded.
“It’s going to unlock so much potential,” he said. “when we look at how interconnected communities are these days, it’s really important that we have these hubs to be able to bring in your local transit to connect to go service and then get you to wherever you need to go in the province.”
The region began purchasing the 1.6 hectares of land in the area in 2008 with the goal of building a multi-modal transportation hub.
After receiving $43 million from the province for the project in 2016, work was initially supposed to begin in 2020.
It was then pushed to 2021.
Then pushed again to 2023.
The region’s commissioner of transportation services, Doug Spooner, said in April that Metrolinx is expected to begin on-the-ground work in March 2026.
Metrolinx needs to raise a section of rail tracks between King Street and Weber Street and relocate the train platform from the current train station between Weber Street and Ahrens Street to its new spot at King Street and Duke Street.
Metrolinx will also construct a diversion track behind 100 Victoria St. N.
In order to begin work on the transit hub, the region has also indicated people living at an encampment at 100 Victoria St. N. will need to move. The bylaw that would have asked people to move by Dec. 1 of this year is currently before the courts and is not being enforced.
The region and lawyers representing the people living at the encampment are due to go before a judge again in February.