Ontario Construction News staff writer
Major construction is underway at Durham College Oshawa GO Station as Metrolinx moves ahead with upgrades designed to increase capacity and support more frequent, two-way, all-day GO service on the Lakeshore East line.
The project will add two new tracks, a new north platform and canopy, pedestrian bridges and a new bus loop. The work is also intended to prepare the station for future service associated with the planned Bowmanville GO Extension.
“Durham Region is growing, and we’re working with the Government of Ontario to deliver the transit infrastructure needed to keep people moving,” Metrolinx president and CEO Michael Lindsay said in a statement.
“Improvements at Durham College Oshawa GO Station will modernize the station with a new bus loop, two new pedestrian bridges, a new north platform and canopy, and the reconstruction of the existing south platform. These enhancements will expand station capacity and improve accessibility, helping meet the demand of future service, including the Bowmanville Extension project.”
The project will add two tracks on either side of the new north platform, increasing capacity on the Lakeshore East line and supporting the planned expansion of GO service farther east into Durham Region.
Plans also call for the reconstruction and extension of the existing south platform, which will include upgrades to improve accessibility. The new north platform will feature a canopy and snow-melting technology.
New pedestrian bridges on the east and west sides of the station will improve access across the rail corridor. A new bus loop is also planned, with a temporary bus loop operating during construction.
Other work includes a new rail crossover to support future operations on the Bowmanville extension, as well as retaining walls, drainage and stormwater infrastructure. Cable containment systems and foundations are also being installed to prepare the corridor for future electrification.
Preliminary construction began in December 2025 and was completed earlier this year. Major construction is now moving ahead with site mobilization, staging, utility relocations and rail infrastructure work.
The station upgrades are part of Metrolinx’s broader GO Expansion program and are being co-ordinated with the planned 18.7-kilometre Bowmanville GO Extension.
The extension will add four new stations at Thornton’s Corners East, Central Oshawa, Courtice and Bowmanville.
Once completed, the expansion is expected to provide trains every 30 minutes during peak periods, hourly service during off-peak periods and service every two hours on weekends.
Metrolinx projects the Bowmanville extension will generate about 17,000 daily trips and 4.9 million annual boardings by 2041.
Ontario Tech University president and vice-chancellor Steven Murphy said expanded GO service will strengthen connections between the university, Durham Region and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
“Ontario Tech is deeply connected to Durham Region and the wider GTHA, with students, employees, researchers and industry partners moving between our campuses and communities every day,” Murphy said.
“Expanding two-way, all-day GO service will strengthen those connections, opening greater access to talent, research and partnership, while supporting Durham Region’s continued economic growth.”
Murphy said the project also aligns with the university’s role in developing expertise for the transportation sector.
“As home to Canada’s first and only English-language undergraduate railway engineering specialization, Ontario Tech is also developing the specialized talent and expertise that will help build the transportation infrastructure Ontario needs for the future,” he said.
