Milton's GO station building
GO Transit has received a contract from the Ontario Government to make some big changes to its rail network.
The Greater Golden Horseshoe will now have frequent, two-way, all-day service with new partially electric features. Unfortunately, the Town of Milton has reached out to confirm that Milton’s line will not be a part of either upgrade, noting that CP owns the line.
In a release, the Ontario Government says this new deal will generate “thousands of new jobs and create economic opportunities across the region.” The project will include adding over 200 kilometres of new track and electrifying over 600 kilometres of track. A new electric train fleet will also be introduced that could reach speeds of 140 kilometres per hour between stations.
“Building Ontario through critical infrastructure projects like GO Rail Expansion, will unlock the potential of the economic engine of our province – the Greater Golden Horseshoe,” says Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “To keep up with population growth, our government is making historic investments in transit, roads, bridges and highways, including the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413. Together, these projects will help fight gridlock, make travel easier and boost Ontario’s economy.”
Metrolinx and the winning proponent, ONxpress Transportation Partners, will enter a 24-month development phase to work collaboratively on design, early investigations, schedule optimization and key initial construction work. This will include the delivery of overhead electrification, a new electric train fleet, upgraded train control systems, and expanded tracks and structures along the corridors to allow for potentially significantly higher frequencies than pre-pandemic service. The project will also include the operations and maintenance of the GO rail network.
“Transforming the GO rail network and delivering two-way, all-day service will be a game-changer for the people of the Greater Golden Horseshoe,” says Stan Cho, Associate Minister of Transportation. “With quicker and more convenient ways to get from Point A to Point B throughout the region, people will thrive with easier access to home, work and recreation.”
Construction is expected to start in 2023 with incremental opportunities to add service starting in approximately 2025/26.
The province is also moving ahead with the remainder of GO Rail Expansion’s Early Works as well as Off-Corridor Works projects, which include building new corridor infrastructure and improving and expanding existing infrastructure and stations.
Here’s a map of what to expect:
