Mississauga is getting a $650 million transit upgrade thanks to all three levels of government

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 4, 2022 – It has been a very long time coming but today the federal government has announced a $650 million transit upgrade is coming to Mississauga. It may not be the much need and talked about subway line connecting Mississauga to the TTC but the massive city beside Toronto is getting a new rapid transit bus corridor along the busiest section of Dundas Street. As part of the federal investment, Mississauga is also getting 358 new hybrid buses along with additional priority bus lanes around the city.

The total combined investment into Mississauga’s transit infrastructure breaks down into $271 million from the Trudeau government, $225 million from the Ford government and $180 million from the City of Mississauga.

According to today’s news release, the addition of the bus corridor along Dundas Street will save commuters an estimated six to 17 minutes per trip.

“Today’s investments will make Mississauga an even better place to live and work by helping Canadians get where they need to be in cleaner, faster, and more affordable ways. Improving public transit across the country makes our communities healthier and fights climate change, while creating good middle-class jobs.”— The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Building better public transit systems shortens commute times, creates good middle-class jobs, and cleans our air. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has made historic investments in public transit to build cleaner communities across the country, and we will continue to make these critical investments as we recover from the COVID–19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, was joined today by Ontario’s Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA), Stan Cho, and the Mayor of Mississauga, Bonnie Crombie, to announce a joint investment of more than $675 million to support three new projects that will improve public transit in Mississauga.

“This is a big day for Mississauga and I want to sincerely thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for investing in Mississauga, our residents and our future. These investments will significantly strengthen our local transit system while helping us reach our climate targets. Funding to build rapid bus transit along Dundas Street, in particular, will make it easier for residents to travel to and from Mississauga and is critical for regional economic growth and recovery. The Dundas BRT will further strengthen our east to west connections, reducing travel times and connecting people to more job opportunities and businesses to more customers.”— Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga

The transit investment will:

• purchase 358 new hybrid buses through the Mississauga Bus Replacement Program to replace existing diesel vehicles, cut pollution, and improve the quality and reliability of transit in Mississauga;
• design and deliver a new rapid transit bus corridor along Dundas Street, from Confederation Parkway to the Etobicoke Creek, to increase access to Mississauga’s public and active transportation infrastructure; and
• upgrade Mississauga’s existing bus corridors, including by constructing priority bus lanes at intersections to reduce traffic and commute times.

These projects will help people in Mississauga get around in better and faster ways, while cutting air pollution and fighting climate change.

“Since day one, we have been building better public transit for people throughout Ontario. By working across all levels of government, we’ve been able to deliver transformative and sustainable infrastructure projects that will improve people’s lives. These projects in Mississauga will make it easier for transit riders to get from Point A to Point B, ensuring they have more time to spend with their family, friends and loved ones.”— Stan Cho, Ontario’s Associate Minister of Transportation (GTA)

Since 2015, the Government of Canada has supported more than 1,300 public transit projects across Canada, including more than 800 projects in Ontario alone. As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada will continue to invest in modern, efficient, and clean public transit infrastructure to build healthier communities and create good middle-class jobs across the country.

by Terry Lankstead with notes from Government of Canada

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