No major work expected on Hamilton LRT until 2026

Pipe relocations and building demos continue next year

- MATTHEW VAN DONGEN

Metrolinx says work to move underground pipes out of the way of Hamilton’s long-delayed LRT will continue through 2025 — but the timeline for major construction on the “shovel-ready” project remains a mystery.

Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency in charge of the off-again, on-again light-rail transit project, says in a report presented to its board Thursday there has been “good progress” on preparatory works along the planned 14-kilometre rapid-transit line.

Those “enabling works” include utilities being moved out of the planned construction corridor of Main, King and Queenston, as well as ongoing property purchases and demolition — including 47 buildings knocked down as of this spring.

It remains unclear when the main LRT construction project will actually go to tender, however.