Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction has started on the Grimsby GO Station with a new standardized design to help reduce construction costs and speed up timelines. The new station will include one platform, 220 parking spaces, a bus loop and pick-up/drop-off areas.
“Grimsby GO Station will bring GO rail service to a growing community while helping shape how future stations are delivered across the network,” said Michael Lindsay, president and CEO of Metrolinx. “Through strong collaboration with Niagara Region and the Government of Ontario, we’re delivering infrastructure that expands transit access and supports long-term growth.”
Grimsby GO Station will be the first GO Transit station using a standardized approach. It is being described as a safe, functional facility that will be a repeatable model for the province to efficiently design and construct GO Transit stations at lower costs.
Instead of creating a custom station from scratch, Metrolinx has developed a repeatable template that can be adapted to multiple communities. The goal is to:
- reduce engineering and architectural costs,
- shorten procurement and construction schedules,
- simplify long-term maintenance, and
- make it easier to build additional stations as the GO network expands.
“As a non-profit dedicated to championing excellence in passenger rail, TRACCS Transit and Rail is thrilled to see construction begin on the Grimsby GO Station,” said Mark Salsberg, chairperson, TRACCS Transit and Rail. “This milestone is a massive step forward in expanding regional connectivity, and we look forward to supporting the province in ensuring this vital hub delivers world-class operations, seamless maintenance, and an exceptional experience for daily commuters.”
The Ontario government has earmarked more than $14 billion to projects creating faster, more frequent service across the GO Transit network, including multiple to improve service on the Lakeshore West line. In addition to opening Confederation GO Station last year, the major upgrades were completed at West Harbour GO Station.
“Grimsby’s new GO station will be a major benefit for Niagara region’s fast-growing communities, reducing congestion and boosting the local economy by bringing GO transit access closer to home,” said Todd McCarthy, acting minister of infrastructure, calling the government’s plan the largest transit expansion in North America.
Earlier plans for the station were delayed after Ontario changed its delivery model in 2018, moving toward greater third-party involvement in station development. The project restarted through environmental planning earlier this year before moving into construction this week.
