VIDEO: A look back at work done on huge Mississauga, Brampton light rail transit system

A major light rail transit (LRT) project in Mississauga and Brampton has taken significant steps forward in the past year–and those in charge of the undertaking have the video to prove it.

Metrolinx, the agency responsible for public transit projects across the Golden Horseshoe, recently created a two-minute video to show progress made during 2021 on three of its major projects:

• the Hurontario LRT that will run from Port Credit GO station in south Mississauga to Brampton
• the Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto (a separate, but related project is in the works to extend that light rail line to east Mississauga)
• the Finch West LRT in Toronto (which may eventually extend to Pearson Airport in Mississauga)

Metrolinx officials say the three projects have seen “substantial advancements” over the past 12 months. The video, they add, has captured “some of the pivotal points in (the projects’) continued development, including testing and the arrival of light rail vehicles.”

The bulk of work to date on the 18-kilometre Hurontario LRT route has taken place in Mississauga, from Port Credit GO station to approaching Brampton. 

However, crews are now doing some major work in Brampton. Workers have begun relocating watermain and storm lines from just north of the Hwy. 407 interchange towards Bartley Bull Pkwy. in Brampton.

When completed in fall 2024, the Hurontario LRT will move passengers from Port Credit north into Brampton, with 19 stops along the way. 

About a month ago, more than 3,000 metres of rail was delivered to the project’s Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility in Brampton. That was the first of many deliveries that will total 89 kilometres of rail, weighing some 5,000 metric tonnes, according to Metrolinx.

When completed, the Hurontario LRT will offer a dedicated right-of-way running from south Mississauga to Brampton Gateway Terminal. It will link to GO stations at Port Credit and Cooksville, the Mississauga Transitway, Square One GO Bus Terminal, Brampton Gateway Terminal, and key MiWay and Brampton Transit routes. 

The initiative is part of Metrolinx’s long-term vision for an integrated, sustainable transit network connecting the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas. 

Meanwhile, the two other LRT projects shown in the video also have significant Mississauga ties.

The Eglinton Crosstown system is being extended west into Mississauga via a separate project, the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.

The plan is to extend the line to Renforth Ave. in east Mississauga by 2030-31, and Pearson Airport officials are hopeful the route will then be further extended to the airport.

Pearson Airport officials also have their eyes on the Finch West LRT project. They’re hoping an undertaking extending that line to Humber College will be expanded to include Woodbine station and Pearson as well.