Construction has commenced at the Durham College Oshawa GO station to add two new tracks aimed at enhancing service on the Lakeshore East line, as announced by the Ontario government on Wednesday. The expansion project will feature new pedestrian bridges, a fresh north platform, an extended south platform, and a bus loop, according to a news release from the province. Additionally, infrastructure supporting the future use of electric trains will be constructed.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, highlighted that these upgrades will not only boost capacity but also enhance accessibility for numerous commuters. The initiative forms part of the province’s strategy to facilitate two-way, all-day GO train service on the Lakeshore East line, aiming to alleviate congestion on Highway 401.
No specific completion date for the project was provided during the announcement. The government refrained from disclosing the budget for the expansion as well. Sarkaria mentioned that the financial details will be made public post the completion of the procurement process. He emphasized that the government is allocating over $15 billion towards various GO expansion projects, including the ongoing Oshawa GO construction.
The project will run parallel to the Bowmanville GO extension, which plans to extend the Lakeshore East line by nearly 19 kilometers into Durham Region. The extension is slated for completion by 2041 and is anticipated to support 4.9 million trips annually, according to the news release.
Sarkaria acknowledged the impact of tariffs on project costs across Ontario, stressing the significance of investing in public transit infrastructure amidst the Canada-U.S. trade war. Durham Regional Chair John Henry expressed to CBC News that the expansion is long-awaited and essential for accommodating the region’s growth.
During the news conference, Sarkaria assured that Metrolinx is working diligently to minimize disruptions stemming from road closures in Oshawa due to the Bowmanville extension project and the province’s Highway 401 expansion. He emphasized that the short-term inconveniences caused by these closures will pave the way for enhanced services in the future.
Road closures include the full closure of Simcoe Street between Avenue and Albany streets until around January 2028 for the Bowmanville extension project. Furthermore, Wilson Road S. is fully closed from Dieppe Avenue to Bloor Street E. until late spring 2027 for the Highway 401 widening project, with additional closures on Cubert Street and Park Road S. until fall 2027.