Regional Councillor

Brampton Wards 1 & 5

Regional Councillor Brampton Wards 1 & 5

Push for historic funding secures tunnelled LRT, transforming Brampton’s Downtown

On January 24, 2025 l Brampton, ON

“Today’s funding announcement by the province to extend the Hurontario LRT (Hazel McCallion Line) to Brampton’s Innovation GO Station in Downtown Brampton is the culmination of years of advocacy to bring back this foundational piece of our public transit network. Under Mayor Brown’s leadership, myself and council have been razor focussed on a tunnelled option that retains the heritage of our historic downtown and completes a vital link for transit users.

We are grateful that the provincial government stepped-up with this historic investment. I particularly want to thank our Minister of Transportation and Brampton South MPP Prabmeet Sarkaria for being such an engaged partner.

It has been nearly a decade since council at the time opted out of the LRT to our downtown. We are now catching-up and can look forward to a revitalized downtown, a connected innovation district, investments in our Riverwalk project, housing development, and much more to come.”

– Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor Wards 1 & 5, Brampton

Today, the City of Brampton celebrated the Ontario government’s announcement to extend the Hazel McCallion Line into downtown Brampton with the development of a rapid transit tunnel. This transformative project will provide fast, reliable and sustainable transit while enhancing connectivity and supporting the City’s vision for a thriving downtown core. The planned four-kilometre underground extension will run from the Brampton Gateway Terminal to downtown Brampton, linking the Hazel McCallion Line to the heart of the city. This investment ensures seamless integration with Brampton Transit, Züm, GO Transit and other regional transit systems, providing residents and businesses with improved accessibility and convenience. The Hazel McCallion Line extension is expected to spur significant economic development in Brampton, including the creation of 47,000 new housing units and 17,000 jobs over the lifespan of this project. These new opportunities will drive urban renewal in the city’s downtown core, further solidifying Brampton’s reputation as a key destination for growth and innovation. The project will prioritize connections to key destinations like the Brampton Innovation District and the downtown core, supporting the City’s long-term economic and urban development goals.

Key benefits for Brampton

Enhanced connectivity: The extension will connect downtown Brampton with major transit systems across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Reduced congestion: By encouraging transit use, the project will ease traffic on Brampton’s busiest roads.
Environmental sustainability: Clean, electrically powered light rail vehicles will produce near-zero emissions, promoting greener transportation.
Economic growth: The improved transit infrastructure will attract businesses, residents and investment to the city’s core.

The Hazel McCallion Line extension is part of the largest transit expansion in North America, with Ontario investing nearly $70 billion over the next decade to modernize and expand public
transit. Designated as a priority under the Building Transit Faster Act in 2024, the project will benefit from expedited approvals, ensuring timely delivery and value for taxpayers.

As Ontario’s third-largest city continues to grow and evolve, the Hazel McCallion Line extension will be a cornerstone of Brampton’s transportation and city-building strategy, providing residents with efficient, sustainable and accessible transit options for decades to come.