Prime Minister Stephen Harper helps kick off Construction of Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit Corridor

August 17, 2010

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today marked the start of construction of the Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit corridor at a groundbreaking ceremony on the Mississauga transit campus.  He was joined by Bob Dechert, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Erindale. 
 
“We want to ensure commuters get to work on time and get home to their families at the end of the workday as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Prime Minister Harper.  “Improving the flow of people and goods across the GTA is good for commuters, the economy and the environment because it means shorter commute times, increased productivity and improved air.”
 
Once complete, the 18-kilometre east-west rapid transit corridor across the City of Mississauga will improve both local and inter-regional bus operations in the Greater Toronto Area. 
 
“Over the last year and a half, we have accelerated some of the GTA public transit and transportation infrastructure projects as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said the Prime Minister.  “These projects have created jobs and stimulated economic growth during the global economic recession.”
 
Government of Canada funding for this project is provided through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and is part of FLOW, the Government of Canada’s long-term transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area.  The Province of Ontario and the City of Mississauga are also contributing to the project.


Backgrounder

Mississauga Bus Rapid Transit Project

The Bus Rapid Transit Project, a key future component of Mississauga’s transit system, involves the construction of an 18-kilometre east-west dedicated bus right-of-way across the City of Mississauga between Winston Churchill Boulevard and Renforth Drive.  This project will improve local and inter-regional bus operations across the City of Mississauga.  A total of 11 stations will be constructed along the route, with one existing station being incorporated into the busway.
 
The total cost of this project is $259 million.  The Government of Canada is contributing up to $59 million to the City of Mississauga and $24 million to GO Transit (a division of Metrolinx) through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.  The Province of Ontario has already provided $65 million to the City of Mississauga to support the project and is contributing another $48 million in GO Transit investments.  The City of Mississauga will fund the rest of the project costs. The project is expected to be complete by 2013.
 
Government of Canada funding for this project falls under FLOW, the Government’s transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  Announced by Prime Minister Harper in 2007, FLOW is designed to reduce congestion, cut commute times, help clear the air and help drive the economy in the GTA.  It consists of key short- to medium-term transportation infrastructure projects.  In most cases, the projects are cost-shared by all three levels of government.  The projects were selected following consultations with the province of Ontario, mayors in the GTA, regional chairs, municipal councillors and various community groups.  Other FLOW projects include the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, the Brampton Züm (formerly AcceleRide) and the York Region Viva Phase 2 (vivaNext).