GO Train at Bloor Station

Metrolix has announced a series of public open house meetings regarding changes on the GO Transit Georgetown South corridor and Pearson Airport rail link. These proposed changes will have a direct impact on our neighbourhood as there will be increased frequency of trains servicing the Bloor station on GO Transit's Georgetown line, in addition to the new airport rail service.

Please feel free to discuss these developments by posting comments below. You can also contact us if you would like the SJTRA to pass any comments on to Metrolinx for you.

Details for our local meeting:

When: Tuesday February 3 2009, 11:00am to 8:30pm
Where: Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor St. W. (map)

More information can be found at the Metrolinx website here: http://www.metrolinx.com/gsse/default.aspx

See below for the Metrolinx press release from January 21, 2009:

Metrolinx launches project to expand GO and build Rail Link to Pearson International Airport

Expansion to benefit travellers across the GTHA — and visitors to Ontario

TORONTO (January 21, 2009) – Metrolinx today, announced a revised proposal to expand service for travellers on the Georgetown GO Line to Etobicoke, Bramalea, Brampton, Georgetown, and to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport. This starts a new phase of the proposed project as we consider input before formally starting the Transit Environmental Assessment Process.

"We want to hear from communities along the corridor. Listening to the public will be fundamental to the success of this very important transportation project," said Rob MacIsaac, Chair of Metrolinx.

Metrolinx intends to consult with the public for three to four months before formulating and submitting a final project proposal. There will be four months of additional time for the public to comment during the formal environmental assessment process.

The Georgetown South Service Expansion and Union Pearson rail link will require 28 km of new track and other improvements to deliver important new services, such as:

• Two-way, all-day GO service between Toronto and Georgetown
• Two-way, all-day GO service between Toronto and Bradford
• All-day express GO service between Toronto and Brampton
• New peak period GO service between Toronto and Bolton
• New peak period GO service between Toronto and Guelph, and
• Introducing a passenger rail service from Pearson to Union Station using the Georgetown line.

"Addressing the limited rail capacity in the Georgetown South corridor permits expansion of GO services," said GO Transit Board Chairman Peter Smith. "This proposed project will lay the foundation for future further enhancements".

Work could get underway as soon as the late Fall of 2009, depending on the outcome of the environmental assessment. Increased GO service could be phased-in beginning as soon as Fall of 2014. Rail service to Pearson could begin at the same time.

All interested parties will have a variety of opportunities to get involved. Open houses in February will be one part of Metrolinx’s commitment to ongoing community consultation. For more information, please visit info@metrolinx.com..

The Georgetown expansion is part of the GO Transit Rail Improvement Program (GO TRIP) a $1 billion-dollar expansion initiative funded by the federal and provincial governments and local municipalities through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. The Union-Pearson link component of the project will be financed and operated by a private sector operator.

Metrolinx is a Crown agency of the Province of Ontario. For more information visit our website www.metrolinx.com.