Rendering of what the new Woodbine GO station will look like when it’s completed. A finish date for the project is not yet known. (Image: Metrolinx)
Major construction is currently taking place on a new GO station in west Toronto that’s anticipated to significantly enhance public transit for commuters in Mississauga, Brampton, York, and other areas across the region.
Teams working on the Woodbine GO station, located just steps from Mississauga at Woodbine Racetrack, “are now building station platforms that will connect thousands of daily riders to the Kitchener GO Line, Union Pearson Express and regional transit services across Toronto, York Region, Brampton and Mississauga,” said the provincial government. They also noted that this latest phase of construction is “another significant milestone” in their plan to offer two-way, all-day service throughout key segments of the GO Transit network.
The province highlighted Thursday morning that this large project will generate over 300 “good-paying jobs” and forms part of Ontario’s “historic investment of nearly $70 billion to deliver the largest transit expansion in North America.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford described a finished Woodbine station last year as a “game changer” for commuters. He stated on Thursday that recent progress on the new GO depot “is great news for families and commuters in Etobicoke and along the entire Kitchener Line,” which also runs through Toronto, Mississauga (Malton GO station), Brampton, Halton Hills and Guelph among other municipalities.
“As part of our historic expansion of GO service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, this new station will increase capacity, cut travel times and connect thousands more people to reliable, affordable transit,” Ford added.
Once finished at a yet-to-be-determined date, Woodbine GO station will feature island platforms serving both GO Transit and UP Express trains, a bus loop linking riders to local transit options, dedicated parking for GO users, pedestrian bridges and fully accessible facilities without barriers, according to a news release from the province.
In addition to its proximity to Woodbine Racetrack, this station will establish new connections between UP Express, Kitchener GO train services and Toronto Pearson Airport. It will also link with local bus routes including TTC, Mi Way, York Region Transit and Brampton Transit as mentioned by the Ontario government.
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario’s minister of transportation emphasized that this new station will help reduce travel times while combating traffic congestion. It aims to connect more individuals with job opportunities and housing throughout Ontario.
“Woodbine GO station will make it faster and easier for Ontarians to get where they’re going whether they’re traveling for work or school or heading out for entertainment or catching a flight at Pearson Airport,” Sarkaria said.
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The latest phase of construction “builds on site clearing grading and excavation that began last year as well as completing temporary track separation along with two access bridges that paved the way for platform construction,” added the province.
The Woodbine GO station situated on Highway 27 is set to replace nearby Etobicoke North GO station which doesn’t have enough capacity for future growth along its line according to officials from the province.
Michael Lindsay president and CEO of Metrolinx-the provincial agency overseeing GO Transit-said this new station would enhance travel experiences for many people.
“Not only will the new Woodbine station serve as an entry point into world-class gaming and racing but its completion will also provide new ways to access Pearson (airport) while enhancing service on Kitchener Line,” he explained.
Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland expressed excitement saying once completed “it’ll be transformative for Toronto’s northwest improving transit access while enabling delivery of over 20 thousand new homes within major urban development centered around Woodbine Racetrack.”
This new terminal is projected to serve about 7 thousand daily riders by 2041 according to earlier statements from officials.
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