No. H132/04 For release December 23, 2004 $1.05 BILLION INVESTMENT - MAKING GO TRANSIT A BETTER CHOICE TORONTO - The Governments of Canada and Ontario and GO Transit are making major headway on 12 construction projects aimed at improving rail and bus transit in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In May 2004, Canada and Ontario agreed to contribute up to $385 million each towards $1.05 billion in improvements to GO Transit in the GTA. Since then, work has begun to improve GO rail corridors, and renovations at Union Station are underway. Once work is completed, GO Transit users across the GTA will benefit from more frequent, reliable and accessible service, with all-day service in many areas. "The investment announced last May is significant for GO passengers," said the Honourable Jean C. Lapierre, federal Transport Minister. "Improving public transit is a priority for the Government of Canada. This project is an excellent example of our commitment to cities and communities." "We are making GO Transit more convenient and reliable so more people will take it," said Harinder Takhar, Ontario Transportation Minister. "Service improvements are already paying off, attracting one million more GO riders in the past six months alone." GO Transit will increase the number of trains and buses and add new tracks and stations to deliver more frequent and reliable service. Work this year has included studies to address the environmental requirements under the GO Class Environmental Assessment (Ontario) and screening studies under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) as well as planning and design work for improvements to bus and rail services. "GO trains are full and we need to get this work underway to add more trains and to relieve traffic congestion," said GO Transit Chairman, Dr. Gordon Chong. "Transportation systems like GO contribute to sustainable communities and to broader national objectives like climate change," said the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Regional Minister for Ontario. "The Government of Canada is pleased to be a funding partner in this project that responds to the connectivity between communities and is an example of the New Deal at work in Ontario." Along with the Governments of Canada and Ontario, several municipal governments will contribute to the financing of this $1.05 billion expansion. GO carries over 45 million passengers per year. Ridership is expected to double over the next 20 to 30 years. For more information please visit the Infrastructure Canada website at www.infrastructure.gc.ca or the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca. - 30 - Contacts: Irène Marcheterre Director of Communications Office of the Minister, Ottawa (613) 991-0700 Bob Nichols Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Toronto (416) 327-1158 Vera Holiad Communications Transport Canada, Ottawa (613) 993-0055 Edmund Shea GO Transit Toronto (416) 869-3600 ext 5328 Stephen Heckbert Director of Communications Minister Volpe's Office (819) 994-2482 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. BACKGROUNDER In May 2004, the Governments of Canada and Ontario agreed to each provide $385 million to GO for capital expansion projects for seven years. Currently, GO Transit carries over 60,000 passengers, an average of 32 kilometres, every morning on its rail system. During rush hour, almost every seat on all GO trains is filled. The new infrastructure will enable GO to accommodate the more than 80,000 passengers forecast to use the system during peak periods by 2011. Program Details and Status The GO Transit Rail Improvement Program (TRIP) includes 12 GO rail projects across the system and an expansion of the GO Bus network. Work on these projects is underway, with completion expected in 2010. Below is an update for each project: There are two projects underway on the Lakeshore West corridor to add a third track in two sections to allow more GO train service and reduce delays: Port Credit Station (Mississauga) to Kerr Street (Oakville). Studies are underway to address environmental requirements. Public Information Centres were held in Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington. Burlington Station to Hamilton Junction (Burlington). A screening study under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) is underway. Studies have been completed on the Milton corridor to address the Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements for the GO Transit Class EA (Ontario) and a CEAA screening study is underway for a new train storage site that will accommodate longer 12 car trains near Milton Station. Detailed design is now underway. This will allow trains to be stored closer to where they start and finish to minimize delays and reduce unnecessary train trips. Studies to lengthen platforms at all Milton corridor stations to accommodate the longer trains are also underway. Twelve-car trains will increase the carrying capacity by over 20 per cent. Studies are nearing completion on the Georgetown/Weston corridor to address the environmental requirements for the West Toronto rail-rail grade separation. This is a rail underpass that will allow GO trains to avoid delays and conflicts with freight trains. Detailed design is expected to commence in 2005. A study is underway on the Georgetown/Weston corridor to identify improvements required to accommodate increased GO train frequency and the proposed Air Rail Link between Pearson Airport and Union Station. This study will address environmental requirements and the need for extra tracks for the proposed new train service. On the Georgetown/Halton corridor, a study to add track capacity through Brampton is expected to commence in early 2005 to address environmental requirements. A study to address the environmental requirements for the GO Transit Class EA (Ontario) has been completed and a CEAA screening is underway on the Bradford corridor for the Snider rail-rail grade separation at the CN York subdivision freight line. This GO train rail bridge will allow GO Transit to avoid delays caused by conflicts with freight trains. Also on the Bradford corridor, a study is in progress to address the environmental requirements for the 32 km rail service extension from Bradford to Barrie. The study will confirm rail upgrading requirements, station locations, and a train layover facility, to support GO train service to Barrie. On the Stouffville corridor, studies are underway for the Hagerman rail-rail grade separation at the CN York subdivision freight line to address the environmental requirements. Detailed design is expected to commence in early 2005 for the GO rail underpass that will allow GO Transit to avoid delays caused by conflicts with freight trains. The addition of a third track on the Lakeshore East corridor and improvements to accommodate three-track operation at the Danforth, Scarborough and Eglinton stations is the subject of studies that are nearing completion to address environmental requirements. Detailed design is expected to commence in 2005. Pre-qualifications for the Union Station Rail Corridor Program will be completed by the end of January 2005 to select signal designers and installers to assist in the Signal Replacement Project. In the spring of 2005, the selected teams will be invited to bid on the project. This work includes a complete replacement of the 70-year old track signal system at Union Station over the next 5-8 years. December 2004
