Mississauga is still fighting for the Square One Light Rail Transit loop

Mississauga is still fighting to get a transit loop to service commuting condo dwellers in the City Centre.

The loop, which at one time was part of the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (LRT) plan, was yanked off the table by the Provincial government in a cost-cutting move two years ago, but local politicians indicate they haven’t abandoned the concept.

Initial plans for the loop called for the LRT to veer off its straight run up Hurontario to accommodate passengers who live in the high-rise buildings that surround Square One.

“We didn’t throw-in the towel when they said we couldn’t have it,” said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We haven’t stopped fighting for it. Maybe there will be some funding for it in the years to come.”

Mississauga officials acknowledged, however that work is already being done through the downtown core that will make it difficult to re-introduce the loop anytime soon. As well, construction costs have also skyrocketed since the original vision of the City Centre was introduced, another factor that does not weigh in the favour of the loop.

Still, Crombie says with future rapid transit routes planned for Dundas St. (or whatever it may one day be called) and Lakeshore Rd., a fully integrated system that accommodates a future densely populated City Centre makes sense.

“It’s something we will continue to push for,” she said. “It’s a priority for us moving forward.”