(12-16-2020, 01:49 PM)Bytor Wrote:(12-13-2020, 08:48 PM)taylortbb Wrote: The project will happen when and if the provincial/federal government decides to fund it, and that's mostly a political decision. For all the talk of ridership, projected timelines, etc, funding of major infrastructure is fundamentally political.
Well, yes, but my point was that by the time they did the TPAP they already had federal and provincial funding. However, now, I do not remember hearing about any funding promises, however vague, from senior levels of government. That's why I asked if something had changed? Why go ahead with the TPAP if there haven't even been vague commitments?
The region is trying to get it as "shovel ready" as possible, so that when an upper-level government creates a new opportunity for funding they'll be ready. Likely good timing, as there may be interest in the next couple years in post-Covid stimulus spending.
Also, the TPAP is significantly to appease Cambridge. That way the region can be like "look, we've done our part, get funding from the province/feds". You're right that normally upper level governments express some interest in funding before the TPAP. Most likely the study results will sit on the shelf for years.