Canada, Ontario And Toronto launch revitalization of Union Station

The governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto officially kicked off the start of construction to revitalize Union Station and strengthen its position as Canada's premier inter-regional and intermodal transportation hub.  

"Here in Toronto and
across the country, creating and protecting jobs and stimulating the Canadian
economy are the top priorities of this government," said the Honorable
Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "By
investing in the revitalization of Union Station, our government is improving
both an iconic Canadian landmark and facility that is used by millions of
commuters every year. This project is another example of the Harper
government’s decisive action to create jobs and strengthen Canada’s
economy."

"Union Station is
being transformed into a first-rate transportation facility that is modern,
efficient and focused on the customer experience," said the Honorable
Kathleen Wynne, Ontario’s Transportation Minister. "Investing in public
transit is a big part of our government’s Open Ontario plan to strengthen our
economy, and create more jobs and growth by being open to change and opportunities."

"Union Station is
our country’s busiest and most important transportation hub, and is a proud
part of our history and our identity as Torontonians, Ontarians and
Canadians," said Toronto Mayor David Miller. "The City of Toronto continues
to own, maintain and improve Union Station to support growth, prosperity and livability
through improved public transit. Torontonians should be proud to see the
revitalization finally begin, which will enable Toronto’s Union Station to
rival some of the most renowned train stations in the world."

The revitalization of
Union Station will improve the delivery of inter-regional and intermodal
passenger services by:

• creating a
threefold increase in the GO Transit concourse space owned by Metrolinx to accommodate
the expected doubling of GO passengers at Union Station by 2030;

• restoring heritage
aspects of the main building;

• allowing for the
purchase and refurbishment of the west wing for the relocation of Metrolinx’s
head office;

• constructing a new
northwest PATH connection that will join the northwest corner of 
Union Station
to Wellington Street;

• enhancing
pedestrian concourses to improve traffic flow; and

• enabling the city
to create a new lower retail level below the station to increase capacity for
retail services.

Work is expected to be
complete in 2015.

The total cost for the
revitalization of Union Station is approximately C$640 million. The Government
of Canada is contributing up to C$164 million (up to a maximum of C$133 million
from the Building Canada Fund, C$25 million from VIA Rail and C$6 million from
the Transit-Secure Fund) toward the project. The Government of Ontario is
contributing up to C$172 million to the revitalization, while the City of
Toronto is contributing the remaining C$304 million.

Since acquiring Union
Station in 2000, the City of Toronto has invested C$50 million in the station,
led its revitalization and will manage all construction with three objectives:
to promote Union Station as a multimodal transportation hub; to preserve its
heritage and character; and to revitalize the station as a premier
transportation centre that will be a major destination in the city.