GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[Northern Light]

The government of Ontario out in Niagara with a presser this morning, announcing that the contract to build the Grimsby GO station will go out this spring.

 

[WB62]

Grimsby GO is now a committed station, with a RFP to construct it launching soon:

 

[crs1026]

Stations are pretty - but what is the service plan commitment, and is there a commercial agreement in place with CN to achieve it? And how much added track will it require?

Has money been released? (In my book, a project is not "official" until Finance releases funds)

- Paul

PPS - Will want to be assured that the station design is appropriate but not overbuilt.

 

[WB62]

Stations are pretty - but what is the service plan commitment

While there was nothing on that in this conference, I found it very interesting that they referred to Niagara getting “2 way all-day GO service”, someone can correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure that tagline has never been used for Niagara before.

 

[Northern Light]

While there was nothing on that in this conference, I found it very interesting that they referred to Niagara getting “2 way all-day GO service”, someone can correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure that tagline has never been used for Niagara before.

It has, though I don't recall if Mx put it in public materials.

But the push for it has been strong from Niagara Region (and quite public)

 

[crs1026]

It has, though I don't recall if Mx put it in public materials.

But the push for it has been strong from Niagara Region (and quite public)

Maybe someone can find the source conversations or youtube coverage of this, apparently the last provincial level photo op with a major focus on Niagara GO - May 2023

GO train service to Niagara more than doubles​

PS See also https://pub-niagararegion.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=37993

It seems that Queens Park has an annual "Niagara Week" consultation with pols and municipal staff from Niagara in April-May of each year and GO service is routinely on the table. Haven't found a 2024 statement from QP.

- Paul

 

[Northern Light]

Maybe someone can find the source conversations or youtube coverage of this, apparently the last provincial level photo op with a major focus on Niagara GO - May 2023

GO train service to Niagara more than doubles​

- Paul

The press release for that was here:

Ontario Newsroom

news.ontario.ca

****

Here's some public discussion by Niagara Region on their goals, from May '24:

Region still pushing for GO expansion

Regional council remains committed to seeing GO Train service expanded between Niagara Falls and Toronto

www.pelhamtoday.ca

Key bits:

****

Also, you asked about funding................ I can't tell you what the province is allocating (in theory as this year's budget hasn't yet passed).....

But looking at the carrot Niagara Region voted to dangle:

 

[Allandale25]

Cool video on what's happening at Long Branch.

 

[sixrings]

Yes..... but that's not really available to see yet.

***

Given my understanding of government resource allocations over the next few years, anything new while not pipe dream is also not imminent..........

Except for one long discussed project (that would only be construction, not operation).............but.....lets see who returns to QP in March..........one thing at a time.

So not imminent but we would see in the near future at least construction on the Milton line and or the bypass?

If nothing is actually constructed, then the government likely will be out of office before anything is started. There is only so long any party stays in control.

What’s the point in asking for votes for something the voter knows has no hope of actually seeing meaningful progress on when we know the next party often likes to change plans and or outright cancel things.

 

[crs1026]

So not imminent but we would see in the near future at least construction on the Milton line and or the bypass?

If nothing is actually constructed, then the government likely will be out of office before anything is started. There is only so long any party stays in control.

It would be difficult to bypass several years' worth of consultations, environmental reviews, negotiation with CPKC, and with CN. And then design and procurement.

Five years minimum until shovel ready, possibly closer to ten.

And that's if there is actually room in the budget.

What’s the point in asking for votes for something the voter knows has no hope of actually seeing meaningful progress on when we know the next party often likes to change plans and or outright cancel things.

Um.... because it gets those votes ?

Actually, things that get set in motion sometimes do get finished, if the following government is afraid to cancel something that's too far along. I doubt that anyone would cancel Milton once it's into procurement, but the bypass is iffy unless it can be shown to be waaay cheaper than a shared build on the Galt Sub.

- Paul

 

[sixrings]

It would be difficult to bypass several years' worth of consultations, environmental reviews, negotiation with CPKC, and with CN. And then design and procurement.

Five years minimum until shovel ready, possibly closer to ten.

And that's if there is actually room in the budget.



Um.... because it gets those votes ?

Actually, things that get set in motion sometimes do get finished, if the following government is afraid to cancel something that's too far along. I doubt that anyone would cancel Milton once it's into procurement, but the bypass is iffy unless it can be shown to be waaay cheaper than a shared build on the Galt Sub.

- Paul

As a former transit city voter I am highly skeptical of projects announced with little funding and construction in the distant future.

 

[dowlingm]

One wonders how much utility there is for VIA in continuing to stop at Grimsby if GO are going to be serving it. Is there enough market in the town to justify both?

 

[crs1026]

One wonders how much utility there is for VIA in continuing to stop at Grimsby if GO are going to be serving it. Is there enough market in the town to justify both?

No doubt, given the difference in fares, and the fact that the Maple Leaf doesn't connect with anything in Toronto, the Grimsby business for VIA is probably going to be limited to people crossing the border. However, with the growing development along the route, there may just be enough people in the local catchment who would use a Grimsby stop rather than going the extra distance thru St Catherines or Hamilton.

I suppose the numbers will tell the tale.

- Paul

 

[Sauga89]

So, I was thinking that if the GO 2.0 plan opens up the Midtown line, you could in theory run trains from the Lakeshore West line up to Kipling to join the Midtown line there, right? That way, people on the Lakeshore West line don't have switch at Union to Line 1 to get up to Line 2. I was wondering if the construction underway at Long Branch would allow for that, or if an additional platform would be needed. (I recognize that a lot of other work would have to happen at Kipling and with regards to a freight bypass before this could come to pass). I'm just curious if the work already underway at Long Branch would allow for such a service.

 

[jmi22]

So, I was thinking that if the GO 2.0 plan opens up the Midtown line, you could in theory run trains from the Lakeshore West line up to Kipling to join the Midtown line there, right? That way, people on the Lakeshore West line don't have switch at Union to Line 1 to get up to Line 2. I was wondering if the construction underway at Long Branch would allow for that, or if an additional platform would be needed. (I recognize that a lot of other work would have to happen at Kipling and with regards to a freight bypass before this could come to pass). I'm just curious if the work already underway at Long Branch would allow for such a service.

I am almost certain to accommodate LW local + express trains and midtown line traffic, Long Branch GO and the bridge over the Etobicoke Creek would need to be expanded