No. H 243/08
For release - December 19, 2008
Improvements shorten commute of GO Transit users
TORONTO — Construction on the separation of the Hagerman Diamond rail-to-rail crossing along GO Transit's Stouffville line is now complete. An underpass was created so GO trains no longer have to wait to pass across CN's freight line, allowing more frequent and reliable GO train service during peak travel periods.
"This transit upgrade will shorten the commute for users of the GO Transit Stouffville rail corridor and give passengers more time to spend with their families," said Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister, John Baird. "This project shows how our government is working with our provincial and municipal partners to deliver infrastructure that stimulates our economy, that creates more jobs and takes cars off the road."
Prior to the $54-million grade separation, GO Transit's north-south Stouffville line intersected with the busy east-west CN freight corridor north of Steeles Avenue in Markham. Congestion at this intersection was causing delays and prevented GO from expanding service on this line.
"GO Transit riders now have better service," said Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley. "Our continued investments in Ontario's infrastructure are creating jobs that support the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased transit use."
This new infrastructure is moving approximately 12,000 people in and out of Toronto's downtown core on the Stouffville corridor each weekday.
"Where these two tracks crossed at grade has always been a problem for us to increase service or maintain schedules," said Gary McNeil, managing director for GO Transit. "The new interchange will now allow us to do both."
The Hagerman Diamond rail-to-rail grade separation is just one project in the $1-billion GO Transit Rail Improvement Program funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and municipal governments in the Greater Toronto Area through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
A backgrounder with further information on the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund and GO TRIP projects is attached.
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The Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund supports large-scale projects of major national and regional significance. Through this fund, the federal and provincial governments agreed to provide up to $385 million each to support major GO Transit rail infrastructure improvements over seven years. Municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area will also provide funding.
GO Transit carries more than 170,000 passengers an average of 32 kilometres every day on its rail system. During rush hour, almost every seat on all GO trains is occupied. The expansion will enable GO to accommodate more than 40,000 additional passengers forecast to use the system during peak periods by 2011.
The GO Transit Rail Improvement Program (GO TRIP) includes 12 GO rail projects across the system and an expansion of the GO bus network. Most of these projects are underway, with completion expected in 2012. Below is an update for each project.
Lakeshore West corridor
A third track is being added on two sections of the Lakeshore West corridor to allow more GO Train service and reduce delays:
- Port Credit Station (Mississauga) to Kerr Street (Oakville): Construction began in April 2007 and is expected to be complete by November 2009.
- Burlington Station to Bayview Junction (Hamilton): Construction on this portion of the corridor was completed in April 2008. All-day service to Aldershot Station began in September 2007.
In April 2008, GO Transit implemented 12-car trains along the Lakeshore West corridors. The addition of the two rail cars has enabled each 12-car train to accommodate 300 new riders per train – an increase of 20 per cent.
Prior to the introduction of the new, longer trains, station platform extensions were constructed at Port Credit, Clarkson, Oakville and Aldershot on the Lakeshore West corridor.
Lakeshore East corridor
Improvements to accommodate three-track operation between Union Station and Scarborough Station were completed in April 2008. Further work was done to extend the station platforms at Scarborough, Eglinton and Danforth stations to accommodate 12-car train service.
Milton corridor
In April 2008, GO Transit implemented 12-car trains along the Milton rail corridors. The addition of the two rail cars has enabled each 12-car train to accommodate 300 new riders per train – an increase of 20 per cent.
Prior to the introduction of the new, longer trains, station platform extensions were constructed at Milton, Meadowvale, Cooksville, Erindale, Kipling and Dixie on the Milton corridor. The platform extension at Streetsville Station is currently underway.
A new storage site was built near Milton Station to accommodate longer 12-car trains and improve operational efficiencies. This allows trains to be stored closer to where they start and finish in order to minimize delays and reduce unnecessary train trips. The site has been operational since January 2007.
Stouffville corridor
Construction on a GO rail underpass that will help decrease delays caused by freight train traffic on the Stouffville corridor began in May 2006.
While most of the work related to the underpass was completed this past summer and the first GO Train passed through the new depressed corridor in July, all project improvements were finalized at the end of November 2008. As a result, GO Train service along this corridor is more efficient and passengers are experiencing fewer delays.
Georgetown corridor — West Toronto Diamond
Construction is underway on the West Toronto Diamond rail-to-rail grade separation. This rail underpass will allow GO trains to avoid delays caused by conflicts with freight trains. Preliminary works are complete, and the construction of the grade separation is expected to begin in December 2008, with a forecast completion date of spring 2011.
Georgetown South (Weston corridor)
An environmental assessment is underway to identify improvements required to accommodate increased GO Train frequency and options for a transportation link between Union Station and Pearson International Airport.
Georgetown North corridor
Construction began in fall 2006 to increase track capacity along the corridor, accommodate two new rush-hour trains and provide limited off-peak service to the Mount Pleasant GO station in North Brampton. Construction is expected to be complete by July 2009.
Bradford corridor
The Snider rail-to-rail grade separation at the CN York subdivision freight line has been operational since December 2006. This GO Train rail overpass allows GO Transit to avoid delays caused by conflicts with freight trains.
Improvements along the Bradford corridor to accommodate rail service to Barrie are also complete and service has been operational since December 17, 2007. During the week, four morning trains depart from the new GO Transit Barrie South Station to Union Station, and four afternoon trains depart from Union Station to the City of Barrie.
Union Station Rail Corridor Program
GO Transit awarded the contract for the signal improvements in 2007. Design work began in December 2007, with overall completion expected in 2014. The work on this project will include a complete replacement of the 70-year-old track signal system at Union Station.
Additional improvements to Union Station are also underway, including new tracks and platforms. This will help improve the efficiency of the train network and increase operational capacity.
The Don Yard has been redeveloped by GO Transit for its daytime train storage needs and is fully operational.
Other service areas
On September 4, 2007, two new GO Bus routes to Guelph were implemented as part of the GO TRIP program. In addition, on June 30, 2008, GO Transit bus service was extended to Stoney Creek.
December 2008
