GO train service extending eastward

New Bowmanville station will be more convenient for Peterborough commuters

It's official — the GO train is coming to Bowmanville.

Premier Doug Ford announced Thursday that the province has awarded a contract for the planned Lakeshore East extension, which will bring the GO train into the community southwest of Peterborough.

“This contract brings us one step closer to extending the Lakeshore East GO line further into Durham Region, bringing GO train service to the people of Bowmanville for the first time,” said Ford. “Our government is supporting the largest transit expansion in North America, reducing gridlock, cutting commute times and improving the movement of people and goods throughout the province. We made

a promise to get it done and we’re hard at work delivering on that promise.”

The $730-million, 20-kilometre extension will include new tracks and signals, seven new bridges and at-grade crossing upgrades. Once completed, it will provide all-day service in both directions between Bowmanville and Union Station, including peak weekday service every 30 minutes, and is expected to reduce in-vehicle travel times between Bowmanville and Union by 15 minutes.

Peterborough travellers will be able to access the new station in Bowmanville, about 45 minutes away, via GO buses. Currently, Peterborough travellers must ride the buses to the Oshawa GO station to board trains to Toronto and other destinations.

“Today’s announcement is excellent news for residents of Bowmanville and all residents of Clarington, who have waited for direct GO train service for decades,” said MPP Todd McCarthy.

“I’m proud to be a part of a government that is delivering real results to make this a reality. The Bowmanville GO extension will shorten travel times for commuters, who will no longer need to drive west to Oshawa before getting on the GO. It will also increase employment opportunities for those living in my riding of Durham."

Nearly 17,000 daily trips and 4.9 million annual boardings are expected on the GO system by 2041. With 19,000 people and 10,400 jobs estimated to be within 800 metres of a station along the planned extension by the same year.

"As more people call Ontario home, our government is making sure communities have access to fast, frequent and reliable transit," said Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney.

“By expanding our transportation network we're fighting gridlock, driving economic growth and attracting more jobs and investments to our province."

Bowmanville Construction Partners has been awarded an early stage contract for advance infrastructure planning on the extension.

A virtual public information centre for an addendum to the extension’s Environmental Project Report is currently ongoing, and can be viewed online at metrolinx.com.