Huge Mississauga public transit project moves into next phase

A detailed report on the east Mississauga portion of a bus rapid transit (BRT) route that will run nearly 50 kilometres along Dundas St. has been completed, and is now being released for public comment.

Metrolinx, the provincial agency that’s overseeing the massive Dundas BRT project and working with the City of Mississauga to complete it, released an Environmental Project Report (EPR) on the Mississauga East segment of the line yesterday (Feb. 22).

It contains an assessment of where that part of the project (Etobicoke Creek to Confederation Pkwy.) currently stands–and what it may look like upon completion–after a lengthy period of planning and public consultation.

Now, the distilled report goes to residents and the larger community once again for further feedback.

Artist’s rendering shows what the Dundas BRT could look like when built. (Image: Metrolinx)

Members of the public have 30 days, until March 25, to provide feedback.

After that, the report will be reviewed for 35 days by the provincial government via a process known as the Minister’s review period that concludes on April 28.

From there, planning will move to the other three segments of the project, beginning with the Mississauga West (Confederation Pkwy. west to Ninth Line) and Toronto (Kipling Transit Hub to Etobicoke Creek) components.

The fourth segment comprises Halton and Hamilton (Ninth Line west to Hwy. 6).

Metrolinx officials say public sessions and feedback are crucial “because they often help to shape the end product. Some of the concerns revealed during community consultation particular to the Dundas BRT included potential for reductions in lane widths, how left- and U-turn lanes might be changed, traffic congestion, crosswalk and station platform safety for pedestrians and drivers, and impacts to property.”

City of Mississauga officials said earlier that the huge BRT project “will have an impact on the look, feel and operation of Dundas St. in the future.”

The Dundas BRT is a 48-kilometre express bus route that will cut an east-west path from the Kipling Transit Hub in Toronto to Hwy. 6 in Hamilton when completed years down the road.

It will run for 17 kilometres through Mississauga, including the Mississauga East portion of the route that runs from Etobicoke Creek in the east to Confederation Pkwy. in the west.

The project calls for about 20 kilometres of the route to be a bus-only lane or dedicated right-of-way, separate from other traffic. 

Metrolinx says that design will allow for “faster and more reliable transit connections” across the region.

They said earlier that the Dundas BRT, first introduced to residents and businesses last April, will fill a significant transportation void in Mississauga and beyond.

“Right now, there’s no continuous east-west transit service along Dundas St., which impacts connectivity and accessibility for residents, workers and commuters,” Metrolinx officials said. 

According to Metrolinx, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area welcomes some 110,000 new residents each year and it’s expected to be home to more than 10 million people by 2041.

“Growth in our communities means that a reliable transportation system is needed to support the convenient and reliable movement of people as they travel from their homes for work and recreation,” project officials said.

Additionally, an analysis of options to build the BRT through two constrained areas, or “pinch points,” and the impacts of those options, plus the proposed stops for Mississauga East, were presented late last year for the public to review and comment on. 

The “pinch points” are in:

• Cooksville, where designers must take into account a dense mix of existing structures and some heritage properties
• Erindale Valley (Mississauga West segment), where there’s a need to protect the surrounding natural environment and several heritage sites

The Cooksville “pinch points” have been addressed in the just-released report while more information related to the Erindale Valley matter will be presented this summer and fall.

As work begins down the road, Dundas St. will be widened to create room for the dedicated BRT lane, officials note, adding that might include the removal of some existing structures and other impacts to properties such as altering parking spaces, entrances and exits, and landscaping.