Concerns Grow Over Oshawa Street Closure for GO Train Project

City councillors in Oshawa, Ont., are urging Metrolinx to rethink its plan to shut down a major road through the city for its GO train east expansion project.

Pre-construction work on the new Central Oshawa GO Station, located at 500 Howard St., just north of Highway 401, has already started, getting ready for the new station’s construction.

Metrolinx is constructing two stations in Oshawa as part of the Bowmanville extension of the Lakeshore East line.

The provincial transportation agency hasn’t publicly revealed how it plans to build the Central Oshawa site. It also hasn’t provided a timeline for when construction will kick off. However, local councillors claim internal discussions suggest that Simcoe Street might be closed for up to a year.

Coun. John Grey, representing Ward 5 residents, told that closing the roadway would be “irresponsible.”

“That would just be devastating from a business point of view, traffic congestion,” Gray said.

“The 401 widening is happening at the same time, but unless everything is well coordinated, we’re going to have bedlam if we’re not careful.”

Simcoe Street is the only continuous roadway through Oshawa, stretching from Lake Ontario north past Port Perry, Ont.

City Coun. John Gray says a full closure of Simcoe Street would cut off vital access to businesses, Highway 401 and divide Oshawa’s north end from the south. (City of Oshawa )

Gray mentioned that closing off part of Simcoe Street would block crucial access to Highway 401 and separate northern and southern parts of Oshawa.

“I’d like them to take the lesson of the MTO (Ministry of Transportation),” Gray said. “They replaced the Simcoe Street bridge at the 401, and they did it in stages.”

This week, Gray put forward a motion requesting Metrolinx collaborate with city officials, Durham Region and provincial authorities to phase their construction plans and avoid complete road closures.

The motion passed unanimously.

“Our goal is to make them understand there’s going to be serious community impacts and we need them to consider that when they finalize their plans,” Gray said.

‘Death nail’: worried business owner

Construction schedules are still being worked out; Metrolinx spokesperson Andrea Ernesaks said in an emailed statement.

“Bridge upgrades along with other major construction activities are required to deliver the Bowmanville Extension and will require lane and road closures,” Ernesaks wrote.

“Metrolinx is working closely with Durham Region and City of Oshawa to ensure measures are in place to minimize traffic disruptions and maintain connectivity during construction where possible.”

Affected business owners say they haven’t been informed about construction plans by Metrolinx but fear that shutting down roads for up to a year could hit them hard financially.>

Hassan Mohammed opened Baitul Mukarram Supermarket, which includes a halal butcher shop and grocery store just three weeks ago. >

“This is my first ever business,” Mohammed told . “I just lost my job in June, and I thought I’d probably like to open up this business.” >

Mohammed mentioned he’s finally starting to attract customers after hiring staff and securing loans. >Business owner Hassan Mohammed worries he will have to shut down his Simcoe Street butcher shop and grocery store if the roadway is closed for up to a year. (Christian D’Avino/CBC )

So far he’s received plenty of positive feedback but fears that a closure could prevent customers from reaching his store. >

“Most of our customers drive here from North Oshawa or South Oshawa,” he added. >

“People are mocking the Eglinton (Crosstown) project. I don’t know what’s going on with this one either but honestly this feels like a death nail on my business.” >

While Mohammed supports the GO expansion overall because it’s good for Durham Region, he hopes Metrolinx takes council’s concerns seriously. >

Coun. Gray expects demolition work might begin by June but thinks it likely won’t happen until November. Metrolinx hasn’t confirmed when significant construction will start on these new stations.

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