[crs1026]

Hopefully Metrolinx can find a window to get the bad news out there in public so whatever the actually feasible solution to this can happen ASAP, and build a couple of switches and add signals to make use to the usable track in the meantime.

Confess a material change to a committed project ? Metrolinx ? (giggle)

I wonder if anyone can put a date to when this issue was first flagged, and the decision to defer construction was approved. Then one would count the number of adverts, social media posts, and public statements made since that date which maintained that all is well and 2WAD plans for the Stouffville line are progressing nicely. And then count the number of ML Board meetings where this deferral was not read into the public record. And possibly check Hansard and official reporting to municipal governments disclosing the deferral.

This goes beyond "crickets". It's gross defiance of public accountability.

- Paul

PS - Bad enough to have five year old trams that haven't carried a passenger. We will soon have new platforms at stations that haven't had a single passenger on them for more than five years.

 

[cplchanb]

Confess a material change to a committed project ? Metrolinx ? (giggle)

I wonder if anyone can put a date to when this issue was first flagged, and the decision to defer construction was approved. Then one would count the number of adverts, social media posts, and public statements made since that date which maintained that all is well and 2WAD plans for the Stouffville line are progressing nicely. And then count the number of ML Board meetings where this deferral was not read into the public record. And possibly check Hansard and official reporting to municipal governments disclosing the deferral.

This goes beyond "crickets". It's gross defiance of public accountability.

- Paul

PS - Bad enough to have five year old trams that haven't carried a passenger. We will soon have new platforms at stations that haven't had a single passenger on them for more than five years.

yup.... millikin, kennedy and agincourt stations are all collecting dust.... when will the stoufville line ever be finished...

 

[Sauga89]

Metrolinx has announced a track closure next month to work on the new Woodbine GO.

 

[Sauga89]

Metrolinx has also given an update on the Etobicoke Creek bridge on the Lakeshore West Line.

The Etobicoke Creek Trail under the bridge will be closed from November 28th until December 22nd. The closure is required to accommodate increased crew size, additional equipment and multiple work areas. The closure may extend longer than December 22nd depending on progress. An update will be provided closer to the aforementioned date.
There will be daytime and overnight work 24 hours a day on the following upcoming weekends: Nov 28-Dec 2, Dec 5-8 and Dec 19-22.

It sounds like they're scrambling to make up for lost time.

 

[crs1026]

Infrastructure Ontario released its October Market Update. It contains no mention of any upcoming GO projects.

Only items of significance for this audience

• Eglinton West Extension - tunnelling contract declared substantially complete
• Major projects reaching co-development or contract execution:
  • Eglinton West Extension - Stations, Rail and Systems
  • Line 1 Extension - Advance Tunnel
• Major projects moved to active procurement:
  • Line 1 Extension - Stations Rail, and Systems

Perhaps the radio silence from IO about GO indicates the greater involvement of Onxpress and ML's own project infrastructure in getting things off the ground..

Or perhaps it indicates that money is being held back or moved elsewhere.

I have a theory that as various transit projects have dragged on and proved impossible to influence from the political level, politicians are losing interest in transit infrastructure - transit is just too risky and takes too long for their political benefit. Too much risk and too little credit. I sure hope I am wrong, as we still need lots more things launched.

- Paul

 

[innsertnamehere]

It's because ONExpress's contract has already been signed and executed. It disappears off the market update after execution.

The list of transit projects is shrinking because the province is in execution phases right now instead of planning - most major contracts have been awarded and the ball is now figuratively in the winning bidders court to complete the work.

I imagine we will start hearing more about the next generation of projects in the next few years - these things go in cycles and we are due for a fresh cycle soon enough. The Sheppard Subway appears to be first up, along likely with a Pearson Airport connection for Eglinton once Pearson figures out where they want the line to actually go.

 

[reaperexpress]

PS - Bad enough to have five year old trams that haven't carried a passenger. We will soon have new platforms at stations that haven't had a single passenger on them for more than five years.

And it's not just because of the bridge either! The lack of Highland Creek bridge is what's preventing the second tracks/platforms from being used at Milliken and Agincourt stations. But at Kennedy there's a completely different reason we can't use the second platform that already exists.

Phil Verster cancelled the Scarborough Grade Separation project that would have completed the Stouffville Line double-track from Unionville to Union, but Metrolinx they didn't replace that project with a smaller project to at least build the Danforth Road grade separation portion of the project and its associated double-track. They didn't even create a much smaller project install a switch south of Kennedy station so trains can use both platforms.

 

[PShells]

I’ve been keeping my eye out for Metrolinx’s 2025 update to Toronto’s city council.

This is from November 2024

Stouffville Rail Corridor Expansion (Second Track and Signals, Part 2)

In-corridor upgrades including grading, double-tracking, and new signals are underway. This project is divided into phases. Phase 1 is between north of Kennedy GO station to Highland Creek. Phase 2 is between Highland Creek and Agincourt GO station.

Upon its completion, this project will provide greater corridor capacity to gradually increase

GO train service resiliency and frequency. Phase 1 of signal work was completed in 2024, allowing for a newly built track to enter into service, and the removal of the existing diversion track. Phase 2 Substantial Completion is tracking for mid-2026.


….given Phase 1 didn’t actually enter service until July 2025 (not the end of 2024 as stated above), should we assume the earliest date the West Highland Creek bridge comes online is January 2027? What’s the difference between “substantial completion” and being in service?