12-27-2023, 05:06 PM
Taken from a Metrolinx posting on LinkedIn
Kitchener GO Line improvements
As part of GO Expansion, Metrolinx has several ongoing projects along the Kitchener Line, which will help deliver future two-way, all-day GO Train service.
If you zoom in on the City Of Guelph, with its population expected to increase from its current 132,000 to 203,000 by 2051, expanding transit will help serve its growing needs.
In fact, since 2018, Metrolinx has more than doubled the number of trips from City of Kitchener to and from Union Station (which includes Guelph).
Service Improvements
While the number of trips between Kitchener and Toronto has dramatically increased in the last five years, continuing to increase service along the Kitchener Line is a key priority for Metrolinx – especially two-way, all-day service on weekdays for commuters and on weekends for sports fans and concertgoers alike.
While the work along the Kitchener Line will be delivered in phases, we’ve already seen service improvements for Guelph and the surrounding region.
Increased Train Service:
Increased Bus Service:
Increased Train Speed:
Update on Infrastructure Improvements
Through GO Expansion, infrastructure improvements to deliver two-way, all-day service to the Guelph region are being delivered in phases and the work is progressing well.
Construction of a second platform at Guelph Central GO Station is underway. The new platform and covering canopy, running from just west of Wyndham Street to the east to approximately Neeve Street, is expected to be completed in 2024.
A new storage track is currently under construction west of Guelph will provide space for maintenance vehicles to tuck out of the way and off the main tracks so future increased train operations are not affected.
Additionally, a new 2.6-kilometer passing track is currently being built in Breslau (part of Woolwich Township), located between Guelph and Kitchener GO Stations. The Kitchener Line between Kitchener and Georgetown GO consists of a single active track, where GO Trains share space with freight traffic.
Adding passing tracks at strategic locations along the line provides operational flexibility to manage GO and freight services to improve reliability. It will also support future two-way, all-day service, without requiring a second track on the entire corridor between Kitchener and Georgetown. This track will be the first of three new passing tracks to be constructed between Kitchener and Georgetown.
There is even more work taking place across the Kitchener Line, which together, unlocks the potential for added benefits, including additional service improvements.
This work includes:
Combined, these improvements in Guelph will enable seamless travel to various destinations including downtown Toronto – both during the week and on the weekends.
Additionally, these changes are expected to support economic growth and development in the Waterloo-Toronto Innovation corridor by providing improved connections for employers and residents to the rest of the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Kitchener GO Line improvements
As part of GO Expansion, Metrolinx has several ongoing projects along the Kitchener Line, which will help deliver future two-way, all-day GO Train service.
If you zoom in on the City Of Guelph, with its population expected to increase from its current 132,000 to 203,000 by 2051, expanding transit will help serve its growing needs.
In fact, since 2018, Metrolinx has more than doubled the number of trips from City of Kitchener to and from Union Station (which includes Guelph).
Service Improvements
While the number of trips between Kitchener and Toronto has dramatically increased in the last five years, continuing to increase service along the Kitchener Line is a key priority for Metrolinx – especially two-way, all-day service on weekdays for commuters and on weekends for sports fans and concertgoers alike.
While the work along the Kitchener Line will be delivered in phases, we’ve already seen service improvements for Guelph and the surrounding region.
Increased Train Service:
- Since January 2020, by improving the infrastructure on the Kitchener Line, Metrolinx has increased GO Train service by four trips per day on weekdays, meaning customers now have 10 Toronto-bound trips from Guelph GO and 10 Guelph-bound trips from Union Station to pick from
Increased Bus Service:
- In April 2023, weekend bus service was extended to Waterloo, which neighbours Guelph. These new trips have grown in popularity so much that additional trips were added in June and September 2023, delivering a total of 55 trips on weekends
- Also added in April 2023, GO Bus route 17 – added new hourly weekday direct bus service that offers 32 trips between Waterloo-Guelph-Hamilton – connecting four post-secondary institutions year-round
Increased Train Speed:
- In 2021, following work to repair, replace and upgrade infrastructure and essential signal technology along the Kitchener GO Line, Metrolinx increased train speeds (reducing journey time) through Guelph
Update on Infrastructure Improvements
Through GO Expansion, infrastructure improvements to deliver two-way, all-day service to the Guelph region are being delivered in phases and the work is progressing well.
Construction of a second platform at Guelph Central GO Station is underway. The new platform and covering canopy, running from just west of Wyndham Street to the east to approximately Neeve Street, is expected to be completed in 2024.
A new storage track is currently under construction west of Guelph will provide space for maintenance vehicles to tuck out of the way and off the main tracks so future increased train operations are not affected.
Additionally, a new 2.6-kilometer passing track is currently being built in Breslau (part of Woolwich Township), located between Guelph and Kitchener GO Stations. The Kitchener Line between Kitchener and Georgetown GO consists of a single active track, where GO Trains share space with freight traffic.
Adding passing tracks at strategic locations along the line provides operational flexibility to manage GO and freight services to improve reliability. It will also support future two-way, all-day service, without requiring a second track on the entire corridor between Kitchener and Georgetown. This track will be the first of three new passing tracks to be constructed between Kitchener and Georgetown.
There is even more work taking place across the Kitchener Line, which together, unlocks the potential for added benefits, including additional service improvements.
This work includes:
- Fourth Track – new 2.5km section of track from Lansdowne to Dupont to increase capacity on the Kitchener Line
- St. Clair-Old Weston GO (SmartTrack) Station – will provide proximity to Stockyards District, and connection to St. Clair TTC service and Kitchener GO Line
- Infrastructure Improvements – including bridge and structure improvements to allow for more frequent and convenient train service
- King Victoria Transit Hub – will provide a connection to ION LRT and second track and platform for future service increases
- Heritage Road Layover – will provide additional train storage with capacity for four 12-car GO Trains, and supports service increases on the Kitchener Corridor.
Combined, these improvements in Guelph will enable seamless travel to various destinations including downtown Toronto – both during the week and on the weekends.
Additionally, these changes are expected to support economic growth and development in the Waterloo-Toronto Innovation corridor by providing improved connections for employers and residents to the rest of the Greater Golden Horseshoe.