Brampton will get its first subway line as the 905 population booms

Brampton will become just the fourth Ontario municipality with a subway, or, technically, an underground LRT if you want to get really nitpicky about it.

The provincial government confirmed rumours that had been swirling with a Friday morning announcement that the Hazel McCallion Line under construction in the 905 region will include a tunnelled section through downtown Brampton.

Premier Doug Ford was joined by Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria and Brampton Mayor (and Ford’s former political adversary) Patrick Brown to unveil plans for the underground routing on Friday.

“By tunnelling the Hazel McCallion Line into downtown Brampton, we’re helping tens of thousands of daily riders connect seamlessly to world-class transit that will extend across the region,” said Premier Doug Ford.

“As we continue building the Hazel McCallion Line, expanding GO service and building new roads and highways in the region, including Highway 413, we’re helping Brampton residents get where they need to go quickly and conveniently,” said Ford, who was also peppered with questions about the forthcoming provincial election by reporters.

The twinned announcements of a February provincial election and an underground transit route for Brampton follow weeks of speculation.

Provincial officials state that the project will next undergo detailed planning and design stages, “including an underground tunnel from the Brampton Gateway Terminal to downtown Brampton,” while regional transit agency Metrolinx would study ways to optimize plans to better connect with the Brampton Innovation District GO Station and the local vision for Brampton’s downtown.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, despite his previous differences with the premier, hails the announcement as “a transformative moment for Brampton,” thanking the province and Ford specifically for funding the LRT extension, which he described as “truly a game changer.”

“It’s a bold step toward shaping a future where Brampton continues to thrive and flourish as a dynamic, modern city. We are excited to work alongside the province to bring this vision to life and build a better, more connected Brampton for generations to come.”

It’s not the first time the Ford political dynasty has lobbied to put a transit line underground, and echoes a move made by the late former mayor Rob Ford to bury the entire Eglinton Crosstown LRT. 

Brampton’s first underground transit route will come amid a years-long population boom for the city. The City of Brampton is projecting its population to grow by 289,860 people between 2021 and 2051 (41 per cent).