TORONTO — The government of Ontario has awarded a contract for major expansion of Go Transit service in the Toronto area, a plan calling for more than 120 miles of new track and electrification of more than 370 miles of the system. The electrification will also bring new trains capable of speeds exceeding 85 mph, and bring two-way, all-day service on some lines, along with service on headways of 15 minutes or less.
Provincial transportation agency Metrolinx and ONxpress Transportation Partners, winner of the multi-billion dollar contract, will now begin a 24-month development phase for design, schedule, and initial construction.
“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,” Stan Cho, Ontario’s associate minister of transportation, said in a press release from the provincial government. “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 begin in 2023, with the first additions to service coming in 2025 or 2026.
In an article outlining the expansion plan, Metrolinx says the two-way, all-day service is planned on the Lakeshore East and West lines, Kitchener Line, Barrie Line, and Stouffville Line, and is designed to transform the system from one focused on those commuting to downtown Toronto into “a regional backbone that connects high-growth communities across the region.”
Over C$11 billion of early work and off-corridor projects are already under way, including renovation of 16 stations, improvements at 29 other stations, and expansion projects on six corridors. A map showing the initials projects is available here.
The GO project, along with ongoing subway and light rail projects in the Toronto area, represent a total investment of C$61 billion.
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