NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION
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Major upgrades coming to the Barrie GO Line
Ontario bringing all-day, evening and weekend GO service to Barrie families and commuters
Ontario is making major upgrades to the Barrie GO Line to bring all-day, evening and weekend GO service to Barrie residents, helping to manage congestion and make it easier for commuters to take transit.
Steven Del Duca, minister of Transportation, was joined by Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie, to announce major new upgrades coming to the Barrie Line to accommodate more frequent trains.
Planned upgrades include:
- Double track expansion on the Barrie GO Line, including grading between Union Station and Aurora GO Station
- Track and signals upgrades to support double track expansion
- Noise and retaining walls
- Bridge expansions at Sheppard Avenue West, Major Mackenzie Drive and Yonge Street
To accommodate additional service, the province will also build a new layover facility and make modifications to Barrie's two existing stations, including 139 new parking spots at the Barrie South GO station.
The Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion - Grading Project supports Ontario.ca/Build ON.
Building better public transit to improve commuting is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quotes
"Our government is focused on delivering a world-class transit and transportation system that keeps Ontario moving. We are making continued progress, as demonstrated with the start of procurement for infrastructure upgrades along the Barrie GO Line. This is proof that we are committed to making your daily commute and travel faster and more convenient than ever before." - Steven Del Duca, minister of Transportation
"This is terrific news for the people who use the Barrie GO Line. I know first-hand what the commute is like at the start of a busy day, and these future improvements will mean a better commute for people to get to and from work, school and appointments." - Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie
"Metrolinx is pleased to begin the next phase of work along the Barrie corridor. By issuing this RFQ for the double-track expansion, Metrolinx will be able to bring all-day, two-way train service between Union Station and Allandale Waterfront GO Station in Barrie. This is one more milestone in transforming the GO rail network to provide faster, more frequent and more convenient service throughout the GTHA." - John Jensen, president and CEO, Metrolinx
Quick facts
- Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Metrolinx have issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to build and finance the Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion – Grading Project.
- The RFQ is the first step in the procurement process to select a team to deliver the project. IO and Metrolinx will evaluate submissions to prequalify project teams with the relevant construction experience. Teams that qualify will be invited to respond to a request for proposals in the fall of 2017.
- By 2025, planned service levels on the Barrie GO line under the GO RER program includes two-way service every 15 minutes between Union Station and Aurora Station, two-way service every 60 minutes between Union Station and Allandale Waterfront Station during the midday and evening periods of weekdays as well as on weekends, and peak-period, peak-direction service on weekdays, at frequencies of every 30 minutes, between Union Station and Allandale Waterfront Station. The entire line will also be electrified.
Learn more
GO Transit Barrie GO Line
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