GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[reaperexpress]

I have seen documents which suggest otherwise….

It is theoretically possible to build a train that can cover 23 km in 25 minutes while making 7 intermediate stops. However, that requires more than just switching rolling stock. It also requires improving track speeds (e.g. in the USRC), and reducing dwell times.

 

[drum118]

Nov 22
Long Branch GO Station with a lot more up on my site

By the looks, the new east tunnel is ready to be move during the line closure on Dec 6-7

 

[drum118]

Nov 22
More up on my site
No idea which bridge will be remove first over the Etobicoke Creek Dec 6-7. It could be the Track 3 girder bridge or the double track deck truss bridge It was stated that it is possible that when the deck truss bridge is remove that 4 girder bridges could be install that weekend.

Crews were working on the crane system when I shot the site

 

[Allandale25]

Article on a closure related to the Bowmanville Extension.

‘It’s absolutely devastating’: Stretch of Oshawa’s Simcoe Street South to be closed for two years for GO train project

Business impacts sure to be felt as main artery of city will be split

www.durhamregion.com

 

[Sauga89]

Work on the Finch grade separation on the Stouffville line is ramping up.

From the notice above:

Crews will be working on sanitary and storm sewer installations on Finch Avenue East. This work will require temporary lane closures on Finch Avenue East and will utilize excavators, shoring boxes, loaders, dump trucks, and vacuum trucks. These activities are part of early works to prepare for construction of the future Finch Avenue East Underpass. This work is critical to ensuring the safe construction of the underpass and uninterrupted service and proper stormwater management. The public will still be able to access the properties along this work, there may be occasional sidewalk diversions, and a diverted driveway for traffic. Crews will implement a traffic control plan to guide vehicles and pedestrians throughout the construction periods.

This work will take place in three different stages:

 Stage 1 – December 1-8, for approximately one week

o West of Baylawn drive towards Miliken Boulevard - two eastbound lanes on Finch Avenue East will be closed

 Stage 2 – December 8-15, approximately one week

o West Baylawn drive towards Miliken Boulevard – two westbound on Finch Avenue East will be close

 Stage 3 – 5 months duration (Dec 15 – End April)

o West of Baylawn drive towards Miliken Boulevard, two east bound lanes will be closed and East of Baylawn drive towards Midland Eastbound lanes

 

[Civdis]

I really think a lot of these incremental GO projects fly under the radar. These grade separations, sections of new track, upgraded stations, etc are all contributing to a true transformation of the region. I am old enough to remember when GO was a pure commuter system that frankly I rarely used. I love seeing it used by friends and family as a true regional transit system. Just thought I would add my two cents.

 

[Bojaxs]

I really think a lot of these incremental GO projects fly under the radar. These grade separations, sections of new track, upgraded stations, etc are all contributing to a true transformation of the region. I am old enough to remember when GO was a pure commuter system that frankly I really used. I love seeing it used by friends and family as a true regional transit system. Just thought i would add my two cents.

Agreed. I think people are getting too hung up on whether a project falls under "GO expansion" or "GO expansion 2.0".

 

[WB62]

Yesterday the Metrolinx CEO posted a photo of the newest version of the integrated transit map:

Morning Toronto. Metrolinx regional network map sits on my boardroom table. September 2025 version is already seriously out of date (Confederation, Mount Dennis, Finch LRT). | Michael Lindsay

Morning Toronto. Metrolinx regional network map sits on my boardroom table. September 2025 version is already seriously out of date (Confederation, Mount Dennis, Finch LRT).

www.linkedin.com

Some GO related things that changed from the last version:

• King-Liberty and Finch-Kennedy are now labelled on-hold
• Innisfil, Concord, Breslau, Milton-Trafalgar, Grimsby and Beamsville are now on the map - all labelled progressing
• Kitchener Central is on the map (I think this is the first time Metrolinx has added this stations suffix)
• The Milton Line is included in the 2-way all-day section of the legend

 

[Space Gary]

Bowie Avenue pedestrian tunnel going in at Caledonia station this afternoon.

 

[JasonParis]

Wouldn't "projects and progressing studies" include the Bolton line? If so, it seems to be missing.

Yesterday the Metrolinx CEO posted a photo of the newest version of the integrated transit map:

Morning Toronto. Metrolinx regional network map sits on my boardroom table. September 2025 version is already seriously out of date (Confederation, Mount Dennis, Finch LRT). | Michael Lindsay

Morning Toronto. Metrolinx regional network map sits on my boardroom table. September 2025 version is already seriously out of date (Confederation, Mount Dennis, Finch LRT).

www.linkedin.com

View attachment 699750

Some GO related things that changed from the last version:

• King-Liberty and Finch-Kennedy are now labelled on-hold
• Innisfil, Concord, Breslau, Milton-Trafalgar, Grimsby and Beamsville are now on the map - all labelled progressing
• Kitchener Central is on the map (I think this is the first time Metrolinx has added this stations suffix)
• The Milton Line is included in the 2-way all-day section of the legend

 

[EnviroTO]

An EMU is going to accelerate at basically the same rate as a DMU. At low speeds traction is the limiting problem, not power. Any self-propelled unit will have a great advantage over loco-hauled stock here, but the power that is being fed to the vehicle is irrelevant.

The equation includes torque, friction, number of powered wheels, and the train weight to be moved. EMU typically is lighter. Yes, at low speeds traction is the limiting problem and for freight trains the solution for increasing traction is more powered wheels (more engines). DMU and EMU have a similar number of powered wheels and adding more units doesn't increase traction because each adds a proportional weight to be moved. However, if you get rid of weight like diesel engines and fuel it will accelerate faster.

 

[smallspy]

The equation includes torque, friction, number of powered wheels, and the train weight to be moved. EMU typically is lighter.

It is lighter, but not by a significant amount

For instance, the addition of the diesel drivetrains in the 5-car British Class 800 trainsets only makes them 10 tonnes heavier than their EMU siblings (243tonnes versus 233 tonnes). That's less than a 5% difference.

Yes, at low speeds traction is the limiting problem and for freight trains the solution for increasing traction is more powered wheels (more engines). DMU and EMU have a similar number of powered wheels and adding more units doesn't increase traction because each adds a proportional weight to be moved. However, if you get rid of weight like diesel engines and fuel it will accelerate faster.

Traction is a limiting factor for any steel wheeled rail vehicle. The best adhesion rates currently possible are about 33%, and those are for modern, high-weight AC traction locomotives with individual axle control. EMUs and DMUs are usually several points below that because there simply isn't a need for that level of tractive control.

Yes, less weight will always help improve acceleration. And yes, one of the major advantages is that acceleration is no longer directly tied to train length.

Dan

 

[PShells]

I created a table comparing the September and December 2025 Capital Projects Group pipeline documents.

			2025Q3 Status​				2025Q4 Status
Portfolio	Line	Project	Prequalification	RFP	Awarded	MERX	Estimated RFP Date
GO Expansion	Stouffville	Mount Joy Station Improvements, Passing Track and Signals: Construction of passing track, a new side platform and associated infrastructure, and signals work including installation of new turnback signal near Stouffville GO.	Dec-22	Upcoming 2025Q4			2026Q4 (delayed one year)
GO Expansion	Stouffville	Stouffville Existing Station Renovations: Upgrades to various existing GO stations in the Stouffville corridor including civil work (e.g., parking lot improvements, bus loop restoration, station building retrofits and platform upgrades including accessibility upgrades).	Dec-22	Upcoming 2026Q1			2026Q1 (unchanged)
GO Expansion	Stouffville	Kennedy GO Station: West Platform Extension and Trackwork.	TBD	TBD			Project Removed
GO Expansion	Barrie	Barrie Existing Station Renovations: Upgrades to various existing GO stations in the Barrie corridor including civil work (e.g., parking lot and bus loop improvements, station building retrofits and platform upgrades).	Dec-22	Upcoming 2026Q1			2026Q1 (unchanged)
GO Expansion	Barrie	West Toronto Rail Path Extension (South of Dundas Street on the Barrie Corridor): Grading work, along with construction of four new, multi-use path bridges and several community connections.	TBD	TBD			2026Q2 (new date)
GO Expansion	Barrie	Bradford Station: West Platform Construction and Layover Modification.	TBD	TBD			Project Removed
GO Expansion	LSE	Lakeshore East Existing Station Renovations: Upgrades to various existing GO stations in the Lakeshore East corridor including civil work (e.g., parking lot and bus loop improvements, station building retrofits and platform upgrades including accessibility upgrades).	Dec-22	Upcoming 2026Q1		MERX Project Tender July 2025	2026Q1 (unchanged)
GO Expansion	LSW	Lakeshore West Existing Station Renovations: Upgrades to various existing GO stations in the Lakeshore West corridor including civil work (e.g., parking lot improvements, bus loop restoration, station building retrofits and platform upgrades including accessibility upgrades).	Dec-22	Upcoming 2026Q1			2026Q1 (unchanged)
GO Expansion	LSW	Niagara Falls Layover Facility: Construction of a single-track layover facility for train storage, along with signals and track work.	TBD	TBD			Project Removed
GO Expansion	RH	Oriole GO Station Relocation: Improved station access, customer safety and customer experience.	TBD	TBD			Project Removed
GO Expansion	KI	Kitchener Line Extension | Guelph Subdivision Package 4: Track and signals work, platform work, grading, drainage, and utility relocations in support of Kitchener GO service extension.	Apr-24	Upcoming 2026Q1			2026Q2 (delayed one quarter)
GO Expansion	KI	Kitchener Central Transit Hub: Construction of a GO station that is part of multimodal transportation hub in the Waterloo Region. Construction of track realignment, switch, station platforms, tunnels and associated civil works to support a Region-led initiative for a new multi-modal transit hub in Waterloo Region.	Dec-25	Upcoming 2026Q1		MERX Prequalification November 2025	2026Q2 (delayed one quarter)
GO Expansion	KI	Mount Pleasant GO Station Modifications: Renovations including removal of the north platform to create space for a future track and modifications to existing tunnels, north stairs, and elevator.	N/A	TBD			2027Q4 (new date)
GO Expansion	KI	Kitchener Extension | Guelph Subdivision Package 2A: Track and signals work, grading, drainage, and utility relocations in the Town of Halton Hills (Acton) in support of Kitchener GO service extension.	Apr-24	TBD			2026Q2 (new date)
GO Expansion	KI	Georgetown GO Station Improvements & Layover (Phase 1): Construction of a new island platform, bus loop, passenger pick-up and drop-off area, and a pedestrian bridge.	TBD	TBD			2027Q4 (new date)
GO Expansion	KI	Georgetown GO Station Improvements & Layover (Phase 2): Extension of the pedestrian bridge from the island platform to the North parking lot, removal of layover tracks and rehabilitation of the parking lots.	TBD	TBD			2027Q4 (new date)
GO Expansion	KI	Kitchener Line Extension | Guelph Subdivision Package 3: Bridge reconstruction, grading and drainage for passing track extension, track and signals works, retaining walls, and trenchless twin culverts.	TBD	TBD			Project Removed
GO Expansion	Toronto	Technical Services for both task based and highly skilled individuals.					2026Q2 (new entry)
GO Expansion	Toronto	Program Oversight (Auditing, Analysis, Assurance) for non-conflicted entities, performing audit and oversight functions.					2026Q2 (new entry)
GO Expansion	Toronto	CMS - Commercial Management System.					2026Q2 (new entry)

 

[reaperexpress]

Looks like Danforth Station is also set for procurement but not until late 2027. What does that say about express service on the LSE ?

Metrolinx has stated that the Birchmount bridge work will require the 3rd track to be taken out of service, and as we mentioned here earlier the Danforth construction may require that as well.

So it may not be until the 2030s that the 3rd track is continuously in service. Or in practice it may never happen at all, since the 3rd and 4th tracks are intended for the Stouffville line, not Lakeshore East. Which also raises the question of express service on LSE. If it's impossible now, what makes them think it would be possible in the future?

Regardless of long-term plans, they desparately need to adjust the layout of Scarborough Junction to allow parallel switching movements. This involves reversing the orientation of one crossover. Without that change, trains will only be able to use the express track that is still in service east of Scarborough Junction in one direction. In the other direction, trains would conflict with oncoming traffic with the current configuration.

 

[TOtramz]

looks like all the budget is going towards the subway program and GO expansion is taking a back seat