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It's been a busy few weeks for GO and Metrolinx. Last week, they announced that all-day two-way GO Train service is coming to the Stouffville Line. Yesterday, they announced a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to expand the Barrie Line corridor. The RFQ includes:
- Double track expansion on the Barrie Corridor Line, including grading, between Union Station and Aurora GO Station
- Track and signals upgrades to support double track expansion
- Noise and retaining walls
- Bridge expansions at Sheppard Avenue West, Major Mackenzie Drive and Yonge Street
A large portion of this work was previously in the public engagement stage, which UrbanToronto wrote about last month. On May 11th, Metrolinx issued a Notice of Commencement and Public Engagement for the expansion of the Barrie GO Rail Corridor. This notice formally began the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP), which will include an Environmental Project Report (EPR). As part of this process, online public engagement was open from May 11th to June 1st. After that period had passed, the RFQ was prepared, which is what was formally announced yesterday.
The double tracking of the corridor between Union Station and Aurora GO is directly tied to the GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program. In it, GO train service is expected to run every 15 minutes in both directions between those two stations, with 30 minute peak period service extending to and from Barrie (Allendale Waterfront GO).
Like with the Stouffville Line, the primary prohibitive factor to more frequent service is the long stretches of single track. With limited options for trains heading in opposite direction to pass each other, rail service is often limited to either peak direction service, or infrequent (greater than one hour) bi-directional service. On weekdays, Barrie Line trains operate approximately every 30 minutes during the peak periods only, and only in one direction (inbound in the AM, outbound in the PM). On weekends, when there is bi-directional service, the frequencies are generally in the vicinity of 1 hour, 15 minutes, to permit trains in opposing directions to pass on one of the few sections of double track, between York University GO and Rutherford GO.
The first phase of the double tracking from just south of York University GO to south of Rutherford GO was completed late last year, which allowed GO to begin offering year-round weekend service on the Barrie Line on December 31, 2016. That project also involved the construction of several new bridges and overpasses, including over the CN York Sub. This subsequent phase of double tracking will feature three bridge expansions, at Sheppard Avenue West, Major Mackenzie Drive, and Yonge Street.
Another key component of this current phase is the construction of the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation, which despite community opposition, is scheduled to begin construction in March 2019. A more detailed analysis of the grade separation is available in this previous Urban Toronto article on the Barrie Line.
UrbanToronto will keep you up to date on the progress of the Barrie Line expansion, and all other GO expansion projects related to RER, including when the Request for Proposal (RFP) for this project is issued in the fall of this year. In the meantime, you can leave a comment in the section below.
