LRT: Hamilton city council expected to (finally) cast crucial vote

The last two meetings alone have gone on for a total of 26 hours.

That's more than a dayof reading and debating over an issue one councillor says will haunt him for the rest of his life.

Now Hamilton city council is poised to finally vote whether to accept a design update that's a crucial hurdle in the light rail transit (LRT) plan.

On mobile? View the live blog here.

Council will debate Wednesday whether to send the plan to the province. If it does, Hamilton's $1 billion project moves ahead. If it doesn't, LRT is suspended indefinitelyand risks what some have called "death by delay."

• OPINION: 'Brampton is rooting for you' 1 Brampton councillor's take on Hamilton's LRT debate

Or, thelast-minute letter from the provincesupporting extending the linefromMcMaster University to its original destination of Eastgate Square rather than the current plan of the Queenston traffic circle willfactor in somehow. The city and the province havebeen in eleventh-hour talks.

One thing is certain: the city needs to make a decision soon. If Metrolinx doesn't submit the plan, which is an update to a 2011 environmental assessment, to the province, then LRT doesn't move forward. If it does, work continues.

There is $1 billion at stake. The province committed the money for this LRT plan. If it doesn't want this plan, says local MPP Ted McMeekin, then Hamilton has to get back in line for money again.

There are 16 council members, including Mayor Fred Eisenberger. Six are steadfast in favour. The rest are opposed or undecided.

CBC Hamilton reporter Samantha Craggs will live tweet from the meeting, as well as stream the decision on Facebook Live. Follow her at @SamCraggsCBC, or in the window above.