Ontario Construction News staff writer
VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) last week announced a $25 million makeover for the London station. Once completed in 2025, upgrades will make the station “more comfortable, more accessible, and more efficient”.
By improving installations and hiring local contractors for the renovations, VIA Rail says the project will contribute to regional economic development. Additionally, the station upgrades will create opportunities for commercial real estate space and local businesses.
“At VIA Rail, we are continuing to transform the way Canadians travel from reservation to destination, and this includes our stations,” said Rita Toporowski, VIA Rail’s chief customer officer. “The investments in this station will allow us to enhance the customer experience in London, and also demonstrate the commitment of VIA Rail to continue being a key member of the London community.”
The nature of the upgrades varies from necessary civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical work to retrofitting and rehabilitating core building systems and services. This work on the station is planned in four phases:
- Phase I – Civil and structural upgrades (already completed)
- Phase II – Building envelope refurbishment (already completed)
- Phase III – Passenger platform replacement (contract to be awarded summer 2023)
- Phase IV – Interior and base building services refurbishments (contract to be awarded fall 2023)
London’s station will be more sustainable and accessible. The new platforms will meet the latest accessibility standards and new doors and paths giving full accessibility access into the building have already been upgraded during Phase I construction.
The announcement came days after VIA Rail broke ground on construction at its Toronto Maintenance Centre (TMC), the new home base for the maintenance of VIA Rail’s new fleet which will operate in the Québec City-Windsor corridor.
- “The modernization of the VIA station will provide significant benefit to London and region. As the local demand for passenger rail service continues to grow, the improvements announced today will help make passenger train travel to and from London a desirable alternative for thousands of people in the London region,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan.