THINGS GET GO-ING FOR EAST DURHAM

Site prep work could begin before the year ends to bring the GO train east, after $730 million was announced to build four new GO stations in Oshawa and Clarington.

"The work's already started. Metrolinx has released documents related to the building of the GO train out to Bowmanville. What it means is, I expect to see site prep starting to happen later this year, late this fall," said Durham Chair John Henry.

The long-anticipated GO Lakeshore East Extension will bring the GO train east of Oshawa into Clarington, with new stations at Thornton's Corners, downtown Oshawa, Courtice and Bowmanville.

On May 6, Ontario Premier Doug Ford (who is seeking reelection June 2) stood on the site

of the future Bowmanville station and said the government will invest millions in the stations needed to bring two-way, all-day 15-minute GO train service all the way to Clarington.

"I'm just happy to see there was a line item in the budget. I'm happy to see Metrolinx is now starting to release documents related to the build. This is just another great day for Durham Region," said Chair Henry.

He said he thinks the GO expansion project has progressed to the point where it will happen regardless of the outcome of the election.

The new GO stations will be a catalyst for growth and economic development, local leaders say.

The Courtice station site is a "blank slate" and the best opportunity to create a transit-oriented community, Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster explained. There is access to highways 401 and 418, all a few minutes from the waterfront on Courtice Road South. There will be higher-density development and employment opportunities in the area.

"There's a whole bunch of pieces coming together and if we get it right we could get it really right," said Mayor Foster.

Reliable accessible transit will create jobs, stimulate the economy and connect people to work, school, friends and family. A strong, integrated transit network will help Durham recover from the pandemic and support the region's continued growth, local leaders say.

"We've seen that when investment in public transit is made, and especially into cities, it provides a significant uplift," said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.

He added after years of discussion and debate, the public needs to see shovels in the ground to give a clear message that says this project is moving forward.

In 2020, the provincial government announced the GO train expansion into Clarington should take the preferred route along the CP rail north of Hwy. 401. Since then, Metrolinx (the provincial agency that runs GO Transit) has published the Preliminary Design Business Case and the procurement process is now underway, according to Metrolinx spokesperson Fannie Sunshine.

Jim Mcewen, a retired civil engineer from Bowmanville, has been advocating for the GO train eastern expansion for years. He said that an upcoming addendum to the original Metrolinx EA will include an assessment and preliminary design of a new parallel railway bridge over Hwy. 401 in Oshawa for GO service.

"A new dedicated railway bridge is required now that GM has started up vehicle production in Oshawa. The existing CPR/GM spur line bridge is needed solely for GM deliveries only," Mcewen said via email. "I still suspect that the new railway alignment east of the existing Oshawa Station will be very tight resulting in low operating train speeds in this area."

"We've seen that when investment in public transit is made, and especially into cities, it provides a significant uplift."

– Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: As we looked into what the next provincial government could do to finally bring the GO Train east, a major funding announcement was made to build four new train stations.