Ontario Breaks Ground on Major Upgrades to Durham College Oshawa GO Station
(Today’s Northumberland file photo)
Two additional tracks will support two-way, all-day service on the Lakeshore East line
The Ontario government has started major construction to expand Durham College Oshawa GO Station, marking a major milestone in the province’s plan to support two-way, all-day GO train service on the Lakeshore East line. The expansion includes two new tracks to support faster, more frequent GO service for thousands of commuters across Durham Region, connecting more people to housing and jobs and reducing gridlock on Highway 401.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making historic investments in public transit to cut commute times, fight gridlock and keep Ontario moving,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Expanding Durham College Oshawa GO Station will unlock more frequent service on the Lakeshore East line, connecting thousands of people to jobs and opportunities as we build a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant economy.”
Crews have started construction on two additional tracks as well as other infrastructure to support future electrification. The project also includes a new north platform with a canopy and snow-melt system, an extended south platform, new pedestrian bridges and a bus loop. These enhancements will expand station capacity and improve accessibility, helping to meet the demand for future service, including the Bowmanville Extension project.
Earlier this year, the province broke ground on the Bowmanville GO Extension, which will extend the Lakeshore East line nearly 19 kilometres farther into Durham Region and support an estimated 17,000 daily trips and 4.9 million annual boardings by 2041.
“The upgrades at Durham College Oshawa GO Station are a significant next step in our plan to shorten commute times and strengthen connections across the region with reliable, two-way, all-day rail service,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is building and renewing critical infrastructure through the province’s $236-billion capital plan to support communities, create jobs and protect Ontario.”
Ontario has invested over $15.3 billion through the GO Expansion program to build new transit infrastructure, increase capacity and deliver faster, more reliable service across the GO network.
Quick Facts
- Last month, the province launched daily round trips between Toronto and Stratford on the Kitchener GO line.
- In March, the province signed a five-year, $1.3 billion contract extension with Alstom to continue operating and maintaining GO Transit fleets.
- Ontario is investing nearly $70 billion in the largest transit expansion in North America and the largest subway expansion in Canadian history.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love