GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

[reaperexpress]

When could this fourth track enter revenue service? Anytime soon? And would it mean anything to the rest of the Kitchener Line, or will it just sit dormant or inactive for like 5 years until Woobine is done or something?

Hey 5 years isn't too bad, the fourth track at Weston that they built last year will probably be 10 years old before they start scheduling trains on it. Ditto with the second platforms at Kennedy, Agincourt and Milliken stations.

 

[drum118]

When could this fourth track enter revenue service? Anytime soon? And would it mean anything to the rest of the Kitchener Line, or will it just sit dormant or inactive for like 5 years until Woobine is done or something?

It cannot go into service until the new east entrance is open considering that was supposed to be 2025 or was that 2024. Once the new enterance

 

[bpbpbpbp]

Hey 5 years isn't too bad, the fourth track at Weston that they built last year will probably be 10 years old before they start scheduling trains on it. Ditto with the second platforms at Kennedy, Agincourt and Milliken stations.

Can I start another MX hate tirade?

 

[lastcommodore]

Can I start another MX hate tirade?

you'll have to get in line. Wait time there's longer than it'll take to get that track online.

 

[reaperexpress]

Metrolinx has been claiming that it's physically impossible to restore the peak-period express service on Lakeshore East because the corridor will be narrowed to two tracks from Danforth to Scarborough for construction at Birchmount (in addition to the existing 2-track segment from Union to Danforth).

I wrote a blog post debunking that claim:
https://ontariotrafficman.wordpress.com/2026/04/26/metrolinxs-new-lies-about-express-trains/

My main point is that we need to ensure that this additional narrowing includes adjusting the tracks at Scarborough Junction to keep the express track usable in both directions. With the current configuration, there will be a conflict between westbound express trains and eastbound trains, making the express track basically unusable for westbound trains, notably during the AM peak.

This could be solved using a track shift to connect the remaining two tracks at Danforth to outer tracks approaching Scarborough Junction.

Losing the ability to overtake GO trains would be absolutely brutal for Via so I really hope they're planning to keep the express track usable in both directions.

 

[goodcitywhenfinished]

Bramalea electrification was de scoped out back in the fall when this chart was first made public.

So is the plan to only run UPX on electrified fleet? Or is Kitchener Line still being electrified between Woodbine and Union?

 

[drum118]

So is the plan to only run UPX on electrified fleet? Or is Kitchener Line still being electrified between Woodbine and Union?

3 lines can be electrified from Bramalea to south of the 401 and be 4 tracks from there to Union. CN only needs the north track 1 to the 401.

 

[Bojaxs]

So is the plan to only run UPX on electrified fleet? Or is Kitchener Line still being electrified between Woodbine and Union?

There is no plan for electrification. Electrification has essentially been put on hold indefinitely. MX just hasn't came out and said it.

 

[cplchanb]

There is no plan for electrification. Electrification has essentially been put on hold indefinitely. MX just hasn't came out and said it.

source? if thats the case why did they re-buy their ancient F59s for a so called "interim" instead of investing on new or newer equipment?

 

[urbanclient]

source? if thats the case why did they re-buy their ancient F59s for a so called "interim" instead of investing on new or newer equipment?

Because used is cheaper and faster to procure than new equipment with long lead times? If anything, doesn't the acquisition of ancient diesel locos support the theory that Mx is further procrastinating on electrification?

 

[Northern Light]

There is no plan for electrification. Electrification has essentially been put on hold indefinitely. MX just hasn't came out and said it.

This is also inaccurate.

And yes, I'm sure.

I am literally Mx's harshest critic, no love lost between me and Michael Lindsay either. So its entirely fine to pillory them for being late, for being profligate, obstructionist and secretive among other shortcomings.

But please don't make stuff up.

 

[generalcanada]

This is also inaccurate.

And yes, I'm sure.

I am literally Mx's harshest critic, no love lost between me and Michael Lindsay either. So its entirely fine to pillory them for being late, for being profligate, obstructionist and secretive among other shortcomings.

But please don't make stuff up.

Are you telling me that this chart is actually accurate?

The one that suggests the start of electrification works next March? YEA OK

Theres a difference of being late and just not starting, pushing it out to infinity

 

[Northern Light]

Are you telling me that this chart is actually accurate?
View attachment 732634
The one that suggests the start of electrification works next March? YEA OK

Start is such a definitive word..... LOL

Theres a difference of being late and just not starting, pushing it out to infinity

I agree there is................ however, nothing is being pushed out to 'infinity' and in point of fact, LSE and LSW will not be the only corridors to see electrification investments.

No question the horizon has been stretched, they way behind schedule and will not deliver what they originally promised in the next 20 years, and what they do deliver will be well more than a decade late.

For all of that, not only is significant electrification an ongoing part of the plan[ but there are major moves being made to support it.

Some of those are highly visible and have been discussed here on UT. Some you'll just have to wait for....

 

[Allandale25]

Are you telling me that this chart is actually accurate?
View attachment 732634
The one that suggests the start of electrification works next March? YEA OK

Theres a difference of being late and just not starting, pushing it out to infinity

What would you consider to be part of the "electrification works"? Couldn't it be argued the Wilson Yard (recent rendering shows OCS poles) and the Union Station South Concourse construction works are critical for LSE and LSW electrification? What do you specifically want to see underway?

 

[nfitz]

No question the horizon has been stretched, they way behind schedule and will not deliver what they originally promised in the next 20 years, and what they do deliver will be well more than a decade late.

Are you saying that Metrolinx won't achieve the schedule that they recommended in 2010, with electrification initially on the Georgetown corridor, with service starting as far as Pearson in 2015?

Firm dates aren't listed, other than Lakeshore from Union to Bowmanville, Oakville, and Kitchener being in the initial 10-year budget - presumably by the early 2020s!

Lots to look forward too in the upcoming 2010s and early 2020s!