Ontario Construction News staff writer
Work on the new Kipling Bus Terminal is expected to wrap up this spring, completing another component of the Province’s GO Expansion on the Milton Line, and its vision of turning the GO network in a rapid rail system.
The $73-million project is part of the Province’s GO Regional Express Rail (RER) program, which aims to provide faster and more frequent service on the GO Transit Rail network with electrification on core segments, including the Union Pearson Express. The program will provide new travel choices for commuters, significantly increase transit ridership, cut journey times and help manage congestion across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), explains Metrolinx.
In its GO Expansion Full Business Case, Metrolinx detailed the reasons for expanding the network, and turning it into a rapid rail system.
“The Kipling GO Transit terminal is an important step to bringing better, more integrated service to our customers. Once complete, the new station will provide easier access to transit with connections to MiWay, the TTC and GO train and bus service. This is an important step towards creating an integral transit network in the GTHA for our customers,” Phil Verster, President and CEO, Metrolinx, said when the contract to design and build the station was awarded to EllisDon Infrastructure Transit in 2018.
When completed, the station will have:
- An elevated pedestrian bridge to connect the new entrance/ancillary building to the new bus terminal building and rail platforms
- A new pedestrian underground tunnel to connect the new entrance/ancillary building to the new bus terminal building and from the new bus terminal building to the existing TTC pedestrian tunnel and pedestrian pick up and drop off building
- A new bus terminal building for MiWay and GO Transit operations
- Renovations to the existing Kipling GO station building and existing TTC pedestrian pick-up and drop off building
- Site infrastructure upgrades including parking and improved vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian accesses
- The construction of a new private driveway for vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian accesses, including a new signalized intersection.
“This Kipling Bus Terminal project is one of many infrastructure projects transforming the Go Train network to expand rail service in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. IO is proud to partner with Metrolinx and EllisDon Infrastructure Transit to complete this important transit enhancement,” Ehren Cory, President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario, was quoted saying.
Quick Facts:
- The province is investing $21.3 billion to transform the GO rail network from a commuter transit system to a regional rapid transit system
- The project is being delivered as a Design Build Finance (DBF) contract using Infrastructure Ontario’s Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, which transfers risks associated with construction and financing of the project to the private sector
- Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province’s history. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to ca/BuildON.
Environmental benefits of the project include reduced traffic congestion, greenhouse gases and fuel consumption. It also, says Metrolinx, improves quality of life for commuters by reducing daily travel time.
Metrolinx says the expansion program is underway incrementally. Services have been increased by 33 per cent, an increase of more than 400 GO train weekly trips, in the past two years. The expansion includes:
- 10 stations under construction (Bramalea, a new Bloomington, Weston, Rutherford, Agincourt, Milliken, Unionville, Cooksville, Kipling, Union Station)
- 29 stations slated for early station improvements (customer service and safety improvements, including PA systems, platform edge tiles, display boards)
- Three corridors with track work underway (Stouffville double track, Barrie double track, Hamilton Junction track and signals in partnership with CN)
- Three grade separations (Davenport Diamond, Steeles Avenue, Rutherford Road)
- Four tunnel/bridge expansions (401/409 tunnel expansion, Centennial bridge in partnership with CN, John Street in partnership with CN, and Desjardin Canal Bridge in partnership with CN).
“The Kipling Bus Terminal project will make it easier for commuters and families to transfer seamlessly between GO Transit, the TTC and MiWay. Making public transit easier to use helps connect people with the jobs and opportunities that support a high quality of life and grow our economy,” Kathryn McGarry, former Minister of Transportation, is quoted saying.