Home / Business and Economy / Cambridge Residents Divided Over Proposed $4.3B LRT Extension
Cambridge Residents Divided Over Proposed $4.3B LRT Extension
4 Nov
Summary
- Proposed 17km LRT extension from Kitchener to downtown Cambridge
- Councillor Shwery says most residents oppose the project
- $4.3 billion estimated cost for full LRT extension
On November 4, 2025, regional councillors in Waterloo, Ontario are set to discuss a proposed 17-kilometer light rail transit (LRT) extension from Kitchener to the city of Cambridge. The recommended route would connect the existing LRT system, creating a continuous network across the region.
According to the report, the full-length extension is estimated to cost $4.3 billion, including construction, vehicle purchases, property acquisition, and other project costs. However, Cambridge Ward 1 Councillor Helen Shwery says many of her constituents are opposed to the LRT plan. In a letter, Shwery claims that out of around 1,000 residents she's spoken with, only 3 supported the project. She argues the LRT will not bring meaningful long-term investment or increased ridership to Cambridge.
Despite the councillor's concerns, the report states that over $5 billion in development has been invested in Kitchener and Waterloo since the LRT began operating in those cities. The project has also led to the construction of more than 22,000 new homes along the corridor between 2011 and 2024. Regional staff are now seeking full funding from the provincial and federal governments to move the Cambridge LRT extension forward.
