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.
