Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario and Metrolinx have released the Preliminary Design Business Case highlighting benefits of the two-way, all-day Kitchener GO service. The plan includes more train service and shorter travel times as well as a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to add new station platforms and track upgrades.
Metrolinx also issued an RFQ to move ahead with procurement for improved infrastructure between Georgetown and Kitchener. Interested parties are now invited to submit their proposals to Metrolinx.
The RFQ package includes infrastructure improvements at Acton GO Station and Guelph Central Station that will help enable two-way train service, new maintenance of tracks, other track upgrades that will allow for higher train speed.
What’s happening on the Kitchener GO Line?
The Kitchener GO Rail Expansion project is part of the government’s plan to spark investment and support population growth in the Waterloo Region.
“Our government is taking action to deliver significant advancements to GO service between Toronto and Kitchener that will bring more trips at every point along the line,” said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation. “This project will help build fast, frequent and reliable transit that will better support families and businesses along the entire corridor.”
Benefits of expanding services include “significant” travel time savings for GO riders with train service every 15 minutes on core segments.
The Kitchener line is projected to have 39,000 jobs and an estimated 54,000 residents living within approximately 10 minutes walking distance from a station with two-way, all-day service.
It forms the core of the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation corridor, a fast-growing innovation technology hub with a potential to see a growth of 170,000 jobs if the technology super cluster is realized.
Travel time is estimated to be approximately 90 minutes between Kitchener GO station and Union Station, down from 111 minutes.
“We are making great headway in our long-standing goal to better connect the thriving businesses and residential communities between Kitchener-Waterloo and Toronto,” said Kinga Surma, associate minister of transportation (GTA). “By building this major transit project, our government is increasing the reliability of transit, reducing congestion and commute times while also supporting the growth of communities.”
The province has also recently completed significant work on the Kitchener GO Rail line with the complete excavation of the twin tunnels under Highways 401 and 409 to increase train capacity on the corridor and continues to work closely with CN Rail to increase GO Train service for two-way, all-day service.
“This is a huge win for Waterloo Region. Through the continued work of this provincial government, our community will see major upgrades in service with less wait times, more flexibility and direct trips between Union Station and Kitchener,” said Ian McLean, president and CEO of Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.
Manulife Canada supports the expansion and all-day GO service between Kitchener and Toronto.
“With large offices at both ends of the line, we are very pleased to see fast, reliable and environmentally friendly transit being expanded between the two hubs. This exciting development helps to encourage strong investment in our home regions and allows companies such as Manulife to compete better globally,” said president and CEO Mike Doughty.