Making moves for GO Expansion on the Stouffville Line

Written by Rosie Hales-Wilson and Teresa Ko, Metrolinx
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GO Expansion on the Stouffville Line will offer more frequent service during middays, evenings, and weekends – giving customers more flexibility to schedule what is most important and everything else in between.

From Old Elm GO Station to Union Station, work is happening along the Stouffville Line to prepare for GO Expansion and offer more service and seamless connections.

When the GO Expansion project is complete, Metrolinx will be able to offer two-way, all-day service on the Stouffville Line every 10 minutes or better up to Unionville GO, and trains every 30 mins up to Mount Joy GO.

Right now, crews are working to add new stations, upgrade existing stations, and ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support increased two-way, all-day service.

What exactly is all this work? Let’s break down the progress, site by site.

Old Elm GO Station

The new Old Elm GO Station in Whitchurch-Stouffville is well on its way to completion.

Currently, structural steel for the entrance canopy is being installed. CCTV, speakers, and electrical conduits are also being added within the canopy to enable platform lighting.

In the electrical and generator rooms, concrete has been poured for the concrete pad. Boiler assembly in the mechanical room in the ancillary building is continuing, and breaker style panel boards within the ancillary building are being installed.

Structural steel for the entrance canopy is installed at Old Elm GO Station
Structural steel for the entrance canopy is installed at Old Elm GO Station (Metrolinx image).

Unionville GO Station 

Located in York Region, Unionville GO Station will offer customers in Markham more frequent train service every 15 minutes or better to Union Station and back.

Crews are busy at work on station upgrades including improvements on the parking lot and platforms.

When complete, customers will have access to more than 250 new parking spots and additional bike storage. For improved accessibility, the stairs from the parking lot will be replaced with ramps and two new pedestrian tunnels will include elevators.

Train platforms will have canopies overhead to protect customers from the sun and inclement weather while waiting for their train.

Digital screens installed on the west platform at Unionville GO Station.
Digital screens installed on the west platform at Unionville GO Station. (Metrolinx photo) 

Milliken GO Station 

Major improvements are underway at Milliken GO Station.

When complete, the station will give customers better station amenities and access to planned all-day, two-way frequent GO train service. This means more frequent service in the middle of day, and on evenings, and weekends.

Two new pedestrian tunnels with elevators and stairs will enhance accessibility.

Other updates include a canopy-covered walkway between the platform and Steeles Avenue as well as improved lighting, clearer signage, and added landscaping for improved customer experience.

Improving the passenger pick-up and drop-off area and increasing bicycle storage are other ways Metrolinx is making it easier to get to and from the station. Customers will also be able to use pedestrian bridges above Steeles Avenue East to travel to and from both platforms at Milliken GO Station.   

Crews continue to make progress putting up structural steel at the west platform. (Metrolinx photo). 

SmartTrack Finch-Kennedy GO

Metrolinx is relocating utilities at the site of the future SmartTrack Finch-Kennedy GO Station to prepare for the station construction.

Relocating utilities is an important early step in the construction of the new station, as well as ensuring the local community continues to receive high-quality and reliable telecommunications services.

Finch-Kennedy SmartTrack GO Station will be located on Finch Avenue East between Milliken Boulevard and Midland Avenue and will provide Stouffville Line passengers with seamless access to frequent TTC bus connections on Finch Avenue.

The station will also feature canopies, and heated shelters to keep passengers warm and dry, as well as bike parking and accessible drop-off areas.

The future SmartTrack Finch-Kennedy GO Station. Artist’s rendering, subject to change.
The future SmartTrack Finch-Kennedy GO Station. Artist’s rendering, subject to change. (Metrolinx image)

Agincourt GO Station 

The new station building at Agincourt GO Station opened in fall 2021.

While construction at the station continues, the modern building provides commuters with updated amenities.

The new building offers increased seating, five new digital displays, a spacious and well-lit waiting area with phone charging stations and a wood paneled ceiling.

The station building is fully accessible with ramps, railings, automatic door openers and accessible washroom facilities.

Image shows the waiting area.
Agincourt GO Station building customer waiting area. (Metrolinx photo)

Steeles Avenue East Underpass 

Visible at the Steeles Avenue East intersection between Kennedy Road and Midland Avenue is the new underpass (which opened on the south side) and rail bridge.

While work continues on the north side of the underpass, construction is estimated to be finished by this summer.  

By separating the road from the rails, vehicles can pass underneath a railway, without having to stop and wait for trains. It will also improve convenience by allowing for easier traffic flow and reducing traffic times travelling along Steeles Avenue East.

Eliminating the at-grade crossing will allow Metrolinx to increase future train speed safely while also reducing congestion for those accessing stores and businesses in the area.  

Aerial view of the Steeles Avenue East Underpass and rail bridge. Work continues at the retaining walls, staircases and elevators. (Metrolinx photo) 

As progress continues along the Stouffville Line, Metrolinx gets closer to offering frequent, electrified train service in both directions, all-day. Coupled with increased connections to local and regional transit, expansion on the Stouffville Line also contributes to a wider “network effect” across the region.

For more information about what’s happening on the Stouffville Line, visit metrolinx.com or follow @GOExpansion on Twitter.

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