It’s the worst fear of light rail transit proponents and the greatest hope of the project’s opponents.
With Kitchener and Waterloo’s mayors off the ballot in October’s municipal elections, and a number of other incumbents across the region either leaving politics or yet to confirm plans to stay, could a new wave sweep into local government and cancel the Ion line altogether?
It’s possible, according to a local political observer – but some clues suggest it’s not that likely.
Robert William says Ken Seiling’s announcement that he’ll seek another term as Waterloo Region chair hints at a desire to keep the train on the track.
“When it became clear that there was a groundswell coming up … that wanted to revisit the question, I have a feeling that was a very strong motivating factor in keeping Ken Seiling on the ballot,” he tells CTV News.
For his part, Seiling says moving ahead with LRT was part of his decision to run again, but not the entire reason.
William acknowledges that “a lot of things can happen” in a campaign for an election that’s still nearly nine months away, and says prospective candidates may find it easier to attack the $818-million transit project than support it.
“People who are feeling positive about it may be reluctant to stick their necks out,” he says.
Transportation advocacy group TriTAG has been sticking its neck out in favour of light rail transit since well before the project’s approval in 2011.
Spokesperson Chris Klein says cancelling the project for fiscal grounds could prove to be a double-edged sword as automobile traffic grows.
“It could be that we end up paying for the cancellation of LRT as well as an extra $400 or $500 million over the next 20 years in additional roads that (LRT) might have helped us avoid building,” he says.
“If this thing does come in on time and on budget – and I expect it to – then this council … should proceed with construction.”
Coun. Tom Galloway represents Kitchener as part of that regional council, although he’s yet to announce his plans for October.
He’s in favour of LRT, but says he could be persuaded to change his mind if the bids from consortiums seeking to build the project come in above budget projections.
Out of the project’s $818-million budget, $586 million is for the contract for a consortium to design, build, operate, finance and maintain the system – and the winning bidder is expected to be selected in March.
Cancelling the project after that contract is signed isn’t likely, Galloway says – no matter what happens at the ballot box.
“I don’t think we would change anything because we have a couple of people leaving,” he says.
“That happens at the end of most terms of office.”
William says there shouldn’t be any concern over a “lame duck” council making decisions, given all local politicians were elected to serve full four-year terms.
