Work to deliver two-way, all-day Kitchener GO train service kicks off

Shovels are at the ready for plans to expand Kitchener GO train service outside rush hour.

The project will deliver all-day, two-way service to the Kitchener line.

The first phase of plans includes: building a second platform at Guelph Central GO station, a maintenance storage track for vehicles west of Guelph, and a passing track in Breslau. 

This passing track will allow trains travelling opposite directions to pass each other on the same track.

It will be about 2.6 kilometres long and stretch from Kitchener to Guelph.

A total of three passing tracks, with a second in Breslau will added to the Kitchener line eventually.

Currently, there is one active track between Kitchener and Georgetown, which is shared with freight traffic.

In a release, Metrolinx said, “The addition of passing tracks at strategic locations along the line will allow for more GO Transit trips on the line, without building a costly second track along the entire route – delivering transit to the region faster and more affordably.”

Trip time between Kitchener and Toronto's Union Station is expected to be about 10 minutes shorter.

The journey will take 98 minutes, instead of the present 111 minutes.

At Kitchener GO station, the proposed service is every 30 minutes for peak times, and every 60 minutes during the rest of the day.

Additional train service will be introduced in stages as construction moves forward and key parts of the work are completed.

Metrolinx will also award more construction contracts for track, signal, station and structural work on both the Metrolinx and CN Rail owned portions of the line.

This will support future service increases.

The next phase of this project includes: adding a passing track at the Acton station, a maintenance vehicles storage track near Rockwood, a north platform extension at Guelph, an expanded Shantz Station Road bridge, extension of the second track in Breslau, and track re-alignments.