As LRT process edges along, King Street businesses say they're not getting the info they need

Metrolinx staff have been going door-to-door to King Street businesses in Hamilton in recent weeks, in advance of the construction of the city's light-rail transit line, expected to start next year.

The $3.4-billion project will see 17 stops run along 14 kilometres between McMaster University and Eastgate, alternately on King and Main streets. 

But businesses along the route say the recent visits from Metrolinx haven't come with answers to some big questions, such as when they should expect construction on their section of King Street, and what kind of support — if any — will be available for them if they struggle.

Some businesses say they'll move to a new location when construction begins, so knowing when their section of the street will be ripped up well in advance is crucial.

Camille Malabre, owner of Amorphous Hair Studio says she can't expect her clients to enter the salon through a back alley — the solution she says Metrolinx representatives proposed — so wants to know when to pack up.

"There's nothing nice about an alleyway," said Malabre, whose business is located in downtown Hamilton's International Village business improvement area.

"Is the city then also allotting money to deal with snow [and] ice removal" to keep the alley safe, she wondered. She says she hasn't been given those types of answers.

An ardent opponent of the LRT project, Malabre says she'd rather see money spent on homelessness, empty storefronts and other social issues that are obvious downtown. 

"We have bigger problems to deal with."

CBC Hamilton contacted Metrolinx several times over more than a week, asking for the transit organization's most updated timeline for the project; whether business owners can expect the work to be done in sections at a time, and what kind of support they may receive.

The organization did not respond to CBC's specific questions or request for an interview, but provided the following statement:

"We know how important business supports are to successfully delivering the Hamilton LRT project. It's why [we] have already been working with the city, Chamber of Commerce and BIAs to plan for construction — and why we'll continue to work closely together as we approach the major construction phase. As the project moves forward, we will continue engaging with the community and businesses about the construction and our business support strategy."

Meanwhile, the City of Hamilton deferred questions to Metrolinx.

Metrolinx said on its social media channels in late November that "community connectors" would be "visiting 1500 properties" along the LRT route to discuss the project.