Kitchener — Streetcar Plan May Move

Rail Transit Online, May 2003

One year has passed since the Kitchener-Waterloo regional council requested funding from the federal and provincial governments for a C$256-million streetcar line and a convention center, but so far little has happened.  The 6.2-mi. (10 km) line would run between downtown Kitchener and the St. Jacobs market north of Waterloo with seven stations served by seven modern streetcars.  There could be later extensions to Preston, downtown Cambridge and Elmira along an abandoned rail right-of-way already owned by the region.  The region wants federal and provincial contributions totaling up to C$192 million that would come from the C$2-billion Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.  But other projects have eaten up C$1.3 billion of the fund, leaving comparatively little for the Kitchener-Waterloo streetcar and other pending proposals.  “We continue to feel quite optimistic that it's still very much alive,” regional Chairman Ken Seiling told The Record.  “Every time I think we're close, something else happens.  So I've given up predicting.”  However, just last week Ontario Deputy Premier Elizabeth Witmer, also a member of the legislature for Kitchener-Waterloo, said the provincial government would pay its portion of the capital cost and that she believes the federal government will also offer financial assistance.  Although Witmer’s pronouncement is hardly a firm commitment, she also reportedly is optimistic the two governments will soon declare their intention to get the rail proposal moving.  Local officials believe rapid transit will reduce traffic congestion and urban sprawl as the region continues to grow.