2-way, all-day GO still 10 years off, despite boost from feds

Two-way all-day GO service between Waterloo Region to Toronto probably won't be running until well into the next decade, even with a multi-million dollar boost in federal infrastructure money meant to upgrade GO Transit commuter rail service that was announced on Friday.

Kitchener Centre Liberal MP Raj Saini said over $752 million would be available to help bankroll work on the 40.2 km of track along the Kitchener GO line between Mount Pleasant Station in Brampton and Union Station in downtown Toronto.

The funding will also allow for work on bridge and station modifications as well as parking and train layovers.

However, the burning question amongst many of those who make the daily commute along the Toronto-Waterloo Region innovation corridor is: when will there be more frequent train travel between the two cities? 

"The project should be completed by 2024, according to the province and Metrolinx," Saini said.

Saini noted new track will be built to help separate freight and commuter train traffic, in order to speed up passenger travel. He said the work is needed along the whole line as Metrolinx prepares for electrification. 

• Feds announce $752M for Toronto-Waterloo GO line

Metrolinx had stated on its website it hoped to begin the Electrification Transit Project Assessment Process in late winter of 2017 but noted the process can only begin once work on the rail line is finished.