Freight trains could be diverted to accommodate GO expansion: Doug Ford

A woman reads a book as a GO commuter train pulls away from the platform at Toronto's Union Station, March 4, 2008. Friday June 24, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/J.P. Moczulski

Premier Doug Ford is asking Metrolinx to look into diverting freight rail trains from existing rail lines in order to accommodate the eventual expansion of GO Transit service in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area.

In a Jan. 9 letter, Ford directed Metrolinx Board of Directors Chairman Donald Wright to take the necessary steps to start work on what the premier is calling "GO 2.0."

The proposed plan would free up capacity to expand GO passenger train service by "diverting freight rail traffic through the construction of a freight rail bypass” adjacent to Highway 407.

In his letter, Ford suggests that the bypass would serve as a “missing link” and would run between the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) main line near Trafalgar Road in Milton and the Canadian National (CN) bypass line at Bramalea.

He said that the plan "could help alleviate congestion and reduce travel times for passengers," as well as "unlock" new GO lines and stations, which in turn would support the province's plan to build more homes along transit lines.

The letter directs Metrolinx to work with the Ministry of Transportation and start an engagement process with CPKC, CN, and the federal government on constructing the bypass.

It also instructs the transit operator to begin preliminary assessments to "plan, design and deliver GO 2.0" as well as identify a timeline for completion for both directives.

In a statement to CTV News Toronto Metrolinx said, "We are in receipt of the Premier and Minister’s Letter of Direction. We are undertaking the most extensive transportation investment in Ontario’s history, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our government partners to expand GO train service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe."