Metrolinx States $42-Million Spent on Hamilton LRT in Oct, Nov, Dec. as other LRT projects report cost overruns.

Metrolinx Chief Capital Officer (Rapid Transit) Andrew Hope reported in a quarterly filing that $42-million was spent on the Hamilton B-Line Light Rail Transit project during the final quarter of 2026. This brings total spending on the project thus far to $243-million.

The report to the Metrolinx Board of Directors states “the procurement process for the Package 1 Civils and Utilities contract is nearly complete” and that “all four prequalified teams submitted proposals.”

“The proposals were thoroughly evaluated and an announcement of the winning proponent is tracking for the near future,” Hope’s report states. Metrolinx will soon enter a development phase with the selected proponent to progress designs and schedule over the next 18–24 months.

This timeline would push the earliest date for the beginning of substantial construction into 2028, nearly 20 years after the project was first proposed.

Metrolinx purchased 155 Chatham Street in late November. Hope writes this “will facilitate the construction of the LRT operations, maintenance and storage facility.”

The overall budget for Hamilton’s 13-kilometre LRT remains $3.2-billion, with the federal government committed to funding up to $1.6-billion. The City of Hamilton is contributing $0.

The final agreement to unlock the federal funding is still not finalized.

Province Commits $1.6-Billion to Two-Kilometre Mississauga LRT Extension

Last week, during a speech to the Mississauga Board of Trade, Premier Doug Ford announced the province is committed to building a two-kilometre “downtown loop” extension to the Hurontario LRT line at a cost of $1.6-billion.

The Mississauga downtown loop does not require extensive right-of-way expansions, underground tunnels, or highway bridges. Hamilton’s project requires all three.

Mississauga’s 18-kilometre Hurontario LRT project, which is currently under construction, is expected to cost $6-billion. $3.4-billion has already been spent.

The cost of each of these projects is an indicator that the existing $3.2-billion budget for Hamilton’s LRT could be inadequate.

Hamilton City Council will vote this Friday on a motion demanding the province compensate the city for planned Main Street reconstruction between Dundurn Street and the Delta. The reconstruction will convert the corridor to two-way traffic to ensure east-west motor vehicle travel during LRT construction.

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Published: February 9, 2026
Last updated: February 9, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman

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