The plan to extend the LRT into Cambridge cleared another step at the regional committee meeting on Tuesday, although a vocal group in the community is against pushing the line all the way into downtown.
Staff recommendations for Phase 2 of the LRT expansion were approved by the Region of Waterloo Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee with a 15-1 vote on Tuesday. Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett was the lone opposing vote.
The proposal includes adding 17 kilometres of track to link Cambridge with Kitchener and other areas through ION light rail. Once finished, trains will come every seven minutes and cover the trip from Fairway Station to Downtown Cambridge in about 29 minutes.
“To look at the LRT as simply a train, I would say that’s a mistake,” said Cambridge Councillor Scott Hamilton. “What the LRT is is an unparalleled social and economic development creation machine. It’s an unparalleled tool to revitalize a city and take it into the future.”
Hamilton also noted that Stage 1 of this project-the ION tracks running through Kitchener and Waterloo-has already sparked $5.25 billion worth of development along what they call the Central Transit Corridor.
“The world is watching us, and they’re making investments as a result of it,” said Joseph Puopolo, a local entrepreneur who spoke at Tuesday’s meeting. “When our country is abroad making trade missions to try and bring new jobs and new opportunities back to the community, this is our moment.”
Out of 20 delegates who addressed the regional committee that day, most supported fully expanding the LRT. On a broader scale, over 2,500 residents took part in an Engage WR survey earlier this year with 78 percent choosing full connection from Fairway Station right into Cambridge as their top choice.
Still, Cambridge Councillor Helen Shwery says she has talked with around 1,000 people in her city about extending LRT; only three showed support for it according to her.
“There’s a point where taxpayers can’t afford it,” Shwery said. “If we want growth, we have to tell the taxpayers, ‘OK, this is what we’re going to give you, but don’t forget, your taxes will be going up.’ Right now, five per cent, I’m getting a lot of emails, people are upset. What do you think it’s going to be with (the LRT expansion)?”
Shwery has also suggested holding a plebiscite so Cambridge voters can decide if they want this expansion or not.
The region hopes provincial and federal governments will cover all costs for this project but price concerns have been an issue since day one. The construction between Fairway Station and downtown might cost $3.1 billion by 2025-and could climb up to $4.3 billion by 2033.
The government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney is still finalizing its budget plans as announced Tuesday. Mayor Liggett fears such high expenses might scare off funding from higher levels of government.
“The cost of this is going to be something that could lose us any potential federal or provincial funding especially these days,” she said. “The new federal budget is coming out and Prime Minister Carney has already said that you’re not getting something that you don’t need.”
A few opponents preferred one cheaper alternative recommended by staff: Bus Rapid Transit links connecting commuters from Cambridge out to Fairway Station in Kitchener instead of full rail service.
Rapid transit expansion options explored for Cambridge. (Region of Waterloo)
Long-time politician Tom Galloway also spoke during Tuesday’s session saying that since Ontario made their region an official growth area for population increase they should expect province-funded infrastructure upgrades accordingly.
“The Ontario government has decided to make our region a provincial population growth area,” Galloway said. “We should rightly expect and demand that they fund necessary infrastructure projects needed for growth – new healthcare facilities rebuilt or expanded; bigger highways; top-tier transit infrastructure-not just second-rate bus systems.”
The next steps include regional staff seeking full funding commitments from provincial and federal governments while locally asking for more staffing and capital money during planning sessions for their 2026 budget cycle.
