Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction has started on the new Woodbine GO Station, a major transit project in Etobicoke aimed at boosting regional rail service and improving connections across the Greater Toronto Area.
The station will be located along the Kitchener Line and is expected to become one of the busiest in the GO Transit network. It will replace the nearby Etobicoke North GO Station, which lacks the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth on the corridor.
Features will include accessible rail platforms, pedestrian bridges, a passenger pick-up and drop-off area, a bus loop, dedicated parking and a waiting area to support seamless transfers between rail and bus systems. The station is also designed to enhance connections to the Union Pearson Express, Toronto Pearson International Airport and several regional transit operators including the TTC, MiWay, York Region Transit and Brampton Transit.
The project is being funded by Woodbine Entertainment Group, which is contributing up to $170 million under a partnership agreement. The station is adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack, which is slated for broader redevelopment as a transit-connected mixed-use hub.
Earlier in June, Metrolinx awarded a contract for the next phase of construction, which includes deep sewer and utility work, realignment of roadways and preparation for track diversions to accommodate new infrastructure.
Metrolinx says the new station is a key element in its efforts to expand two-way, all-day GO service and improve transit options for communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.