Episode 8 of "As Hamilton Twists and Turns"

In this episode of As Hamilton Twists and Turns, entitled the Hanging by the Fingernails one, we find Mayor Eisenberger seemingly miffed at Clr. Partridge's op ed, in which she states that she can no longer support the LRT project . The Clr. is already being criticized by some from the LRT lobby who have referred to her rationale as "absurd." 

Meanwhile, desperate attempts are being made to remind Hamiltonians of the history of the support behind the project as well as attempts to marry the 1 Billion dollar influx of cash to a remedy for aging infrastructure and other aliments that plague Hamilton.

The warning that it's LRT money only, and it will be reallocated almost immediately to others who are pining for this type of funding, has taken on a darker shade, perhaps demanding of a horror movie soundscape. As the pressure continues, the Mayor may be swinging his squash racket a little bit harder these days.

While Eisenberger gets full points for plowing ahead in the face of greater degrees of resistance, the real question is whether the tide has turned. And if it has, will LRT be found washed ashore, another victim of polarization, politics and ?

Stay tuned, and hang on by your fingernails....

Fade to black with an image of Clr Partridge speaking to her constituents, Clr. Whitehead speaking to Clr. Skelly while the Mayor and others huddle.  

The 1 Billion $ Dazzle?

Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Enjoy this Q/A with Mayor Fred Eisenberger:

With the 1 Billion dollar influx of committed cash from the province for LRT, the allure of the money to construct a new public transit system in the form of LRT is understandably attractive. However, some may wonder whether Hamilton has been “dazzled” by the money, to the extent that certain necessary conversations have not been adequately pursued.

For example, is there a concern that the future driven implementation of LRT may result in a system that becomes largely outdated, before it is active? More specifically, have there been adequate conversations about technology trends as they apply to the future alternatives people will have such as self driving cars, electric cars and “car to go” systems for example? In essence, is there a danger that the 1 Billion dollar investment is leading down an entrenched path that is somewhat blind to future trends and innovations in transportation, possibly creating a burden to the taxpayers of Hamilton and frustrating the pursuit of better transportation technologies? 

Mayor Eisenberger responded: 

It was determined that LRT was the preferred technology for the B-line corridor for many reasons including the fact it would move high volumes of people in a rapid, reliable and safe way. LRT will also operate along a corridor with a higher density of population and jobs.

Self-driving vehicles, although an exciting prospect, would not serve the same functions as an LRT along the B-line corridor because these vehicles continue to be single occupant vehicles with dispersed origins and destinations.

Implementing LRT does not preclude the City from exploring other transportation innovations as a complement to our overall transit and transportation plans.