Artist's rendition of BRT on Wellington Rd at Baseline Rd. E. Courtesy of city of London.Artist's rendition of BRT on Wellington Rd at Baseline Rd. E. Courtesy of city of London.
London

BRT Tunnel On Richmond Row Scrapped By Committee

London councillors have accepted the recommendation of city engineers to scrap a bus rapid transit (BRT) tunnel beneath Richmond Row.

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee voted 9-5 on Monday to approve an at grade level crossing on Richmond St. at the CP railway cross, thus dropping the original plan of implementing a tunnel.

"I think there could be pros and cons to any route that you pick, and I think what we're looking at here is the best for the future of the city," said Councillor Jared Zaifman. "Every time I look at this project, it's vision versus reality. We can plan and envision as much as we want, but... we can't always do exactly what we want or exactly what we hope."

Councillors Stephen Turner, Michael Van Holst, Phil Squire, Jesse Helmer, and Mo Salih were in favour of the tunnel and voted against the motion. Councillor Josh Morgan recused himself from the vote due to a conflict.

City staff submitted a report to council last week, which included a detailed design that saw the cost of the 900-metre tunnel jump for $135-million to $220-million -- including the 30% contingency funds.  The total cost of the BRT system is $440-million.

"It was important for us to understand what significant change had occurred and our professionals are coming forward with a recommendation based on their expert advice. And that is to decouple the tunnel from this conversation," said Mayor Matt Brown.

However, Councillor Salih referred to the finalized plans, without the tunnel, as “watered down.”

One of the concerns brought up by the committee was the delay trains would cause for BRT passengers without the tunnel. According to city staff, one bus per hour would see a minimum delay of four to six minutes due to a train passing. The maximum wait time would be around eight to ten minutes.

Councilor Helmer, who argued in favour of the tunnel, said London's BRT project will cost much less than a number of other communities that have implemented rapid transit -- even with the Richmond Row tunnel.

"From the perspective of the province and the federal government, this is the best bargain transit project in the entire province," Helmer said. "It seems really big, but in the context of transit projects, it's not big -- It's a pretty small tunnel, frankly."

He said the municipal capital contribution of $130-million for the project would remain the same -- with or without the tunnel. However, operating costs will increase without the tunnel under Richmond Row, according to Helmer.

During Monday's meeting, the committee also voted to approve Richmond Row as the preferred northern corridor through the city's downtown. As well, the committee voted to split the east-west corridor through the downtown onto King St. and Queens Ave.

The routes north to Masonville mall through Western University, south of Wellington Rd to White Oaks Mall, east of Wellington to Fanshawe College, and west of Thames River to Oxford St./Wonderland Rd. were also finalized.

All decisions will be brought before council for a final vote on Tuesday.

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