BLAST network

The BLAST network is a plan for a frequent rapid transit system in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It 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.[1][2] The B-Line LRT and A-Line are among the plan's prioritized transit expansion projects and were funding by the Government of Ontario in May 2015.[3]

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

The system is planned to include five routes, and includes two light rail transit (LRT) lines, and three bus rapid transit (BRT) lines. 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.[4] 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.[5] On April 9, 2020, the Hamilton Transportation Task Force released the report, suggested that the city need a "higher order transit project", could be either LRT or BRT.[6]

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.[7] As of April 2020, the Hamilton Transportation Task Force determined the funding could be either on LRT on B-Line or BRT on both B-Line and A-Line, construction will schedule to begin no later than March 16, 2022.[6]

The 2017 Metrolinx Regional Transportation Plan outlines a proposed regional transportation network for service by 2041.[8] 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 2017 Regional Transportation Plan includes:

Line Type Corridor / main route Termini Opening
LRT Main Street, King Street and Queenston Road McMaster UniversityEastgate Square 2024
BRT University Plaza McMaster University Before 2041
BRT Highway 6 and York Boulevard Downtown HamiltonWaterdown Before 2041
LRT James Street and Upper James Street Hamilton WaterfrontHamilton International Airport Before 2041
BRT 2024
BRT Centennial Parkway, Upper Centennial Parkway, Rymal Road and Garner Road Ancaster Business ParkConfederation GO Station Before 2041
BRT Kenilworth Avenue, Upper Ottawa Street, and Mohawk Road MeadowlandsThe Centre on Barton Before 2041

References
  1. "Routes and Corridor Maps". City of Hamilton. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  2. "The Big Move" (PDF). Metrolinx. 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  3. Kevlahan, Nicholas (May 26, 2015). "Hamilton Gets YES for an Answer". Raise the Hammer. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  4. Craggs, Samantha (December 30, 2019). "With the province pulling money from LRT, will BRT have its time?". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  5. "Important announcement regarding Hamilton LRT project". www.infrastructureontario.ca. Queen's Printer for Ontario. December 16, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  6. www.ontario.ca https://www.ontario.ca/page/hamilton-transportation-task-force-report. Retrieved May 21, 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. Dongen, Matthew Van (February 3, 2017). "All you ever wanted to know about BRT in Hamilton". The Hamilton Spectator. ISSN 1189-9417. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  8. "The Draft Regional Transportation Plan 2041" (PDF). Metrolinx. p. 66. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
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