DELAYED: Track issues delay progress of LRT in Mississauga

After track issues, the LRT in Mississauga faces delays with no word on when the new transit line will be up and running.

When completed, the light rail transit route, the Hazel McCallion Line, will feature more than 20 stops along Hurontario Street, including several in Mississauga’s downtown core by Square One Shopping Centre.

Major construction began in spring 2020 and initially the project was targeted to be complete in 2024. However, more recently Metrolinx has said there is no specific date for the project completion.

During an update to the City of Mississauga’s General Committee on Nov. 6, councillors asked about reports of track issues.

In October, S&P Global Ratings reported Mobilinx’s three-and-half month of delay on the work on the Hurontario LRT.

“The main reasons for the newly reported delays are special track procurement and track tolerance issues in certain areas of the project’s alignment,” the S&P Global Ratings report states.

There are issues with tracks on already installed sections that are out of compliance with specifications, the report states.

“We were advised that Mobilinx is working with Metrolinx to find a solution to those deficiencies with the track that has been installed, and they are working to develop a strategy to repair that situation, or to correct that situation,” Sam Rogers, acting commissioner of transportation and works told the committee.

In her update, Lin Rogers, manager of rapid transit, acknowledged the delays.

“These projects do take a lot of time, and we, the city staff, are doing what we can to expedite whatever’s in our control, such as the permitting aspects in any of the construction progress along the road authority,” said Rogers.

The province, through Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario, leads the implementation of Hazel McCallion Line, and only they can confirm when the project would be complete.

In an email, a Metrolinx spokesperson told INsauga.com that there is no date yet.

“When construction nears completion and we move into the testing and commissioning phase, we will be in a better position to provide a specific opening date,” the spokesperson said.

Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish indicated she wasn’t surprised there are delays.

“The day I get the announcement that it’s going to have a definite completion date, I will go into shock,” she said.

In the city’s update, Lin Rogers said the city has issued over 1,300 permits, licences and approvals to support the implementation of the Hazel McCallion Line.

To date, 31 out of 55 intersections have guideway track installed including extensive track work at Topflight Drive, she said.

The installation and handover of the Eaglewood Bridge is complete. There has been “significant progress” at Port Credit Station and the operations, maintenance and storage facility. They are nearing completion to accept light rail vehicles delivery.

Six platforms/stations are under construction including the canopy placement at Derry Road and Courtneypark Drive.

Metrolinx said platforms at seven out of 18 stops are now constructed.

Construction of the elevated guideway over Highway 403 is progressing with 74 of the 78 girders now installed. Preparations are underway for the installation of the remaining girders over the westbound lanes of Highway 403. At Port Credit Station, concrete has been poured to form the floors at street level.