Project History
The GO Train Lakeshore East extension through central Oshawa to Bowmanville is ready to GO!
2023
- October 5 to November 6, 2023 - Metrolinx publishes Notice of Environmental Project Report Addendum for the Bowmanville Extension Project on October 5, 2023, with a 30 day public review period ending November 6, 2023. The Addendum is available for viewing on Metrolinx's Bowmanville Extension webpage.
- June 19, 2023 - Metrolinx announces Bowmanville Construction Partners (BCP) as the construction manager for the Bowmanville Extension project. BCP is a general partnership between Ledcor CMI Ltd. and Dragados Canada Inc. The announcement notes that Metrolinx expects nearly 17,000 daily trips on the Extension by 2041. Learn more on Metrolinx News.
- June 8 to 21, 2023 - Metrolinx undertakes public consultation on the Bowmanville Extension Environmental Project Report (EPR) Addendum. Since completion of the EPR in 2011, Metrolinx has advanced the design of the Bowmanville Rail Service Extension project, including changes to:
- the proposed layover facility;
- potential GO station locations; and,
- track alignment, as well as the addition of new bridges, bridge replacements and bridge expansions to accommodate the proposed new tracks.
- Due to the time elapsed since the initial EPR as well as the significant changes mentioned, an Addendum to the EPR is required and is almost ready for review and comment.
- Metrolinx hosted a Virtual Public Information Centre and held a Virtual Open House to present and seek feedback on the results of the technical studies, including potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures.
2022
- May 6, 2022 - Premier Doug Ford announces the Progressive Conservatives intend to invest $730 million to bring two-way, all-day GO Train service to Bowmanville.
- April 20, 2022 - Metrolinx releases the Preliminary Design Business Case for the GO Lakeshore East Extension to Bowmanville.
- The Preliminary Design Business Case confirms the planned route north of Highway 401. This extends rail service on the Lakeshore East corridor, with planned station stops at Thornton's Corners, Central Oshawa, Courtice and Bowmanville.
- Metrolinx also releases a Request for Proposal to invite proponents to prepare and submit competitive submissions to perform work for the Bowmanville Expansion Project.
2020
- February 20, 2020 - Metrolinx confirms GO Lakeshore East Extension decision. The Regional Chair, Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of Durham and the Mayors of the City of Oshawa and Municipality of Clarington provide a joint statement.
- February 13, 2020 - Durham MPP Lindsey Park provided an update in Clarington on the Lakeshore East extension. The update announced that:
- The initial business case and recommended route option that will be on the Metrolinx Board agenda for February 20, 2020.
- The initial business case would recommend a modified Option 2.
- Option two proposes two Oshawa stations along the C.P. rail line, north of Highway 401.
- Option two includes using the existing C.P. rail bridge crossing over Highway 401.
2019
- June 2019 - Metrolinx staff met twice with local and regional staff. Meetings were to discuss assumptions and data inputs to the development of a new initial business case. This initial business case would evaluate the four options.
- June 2019 – Regional Council approves a study around the proposed station sites. The study would to examine land value uplift and transit-oriented development opportunities.
- May 21 & 22, 2019 – Metrolinx Public Meetings held in two information centres in Clarington and Oshawa. These meetings revealed the four options under consideration for the extension.
- May 17, 2019 – the Regional Chair and C.A.O., Mayors and C.A.O.s of Oshawa, Clarington and Whitby met with Metrolinx officials. The Mayors and C.A.O.s expressed that the original route (on the C.P. corridor north of Highway 401) remains the best route for the community.
- May 2, 2019 – Metrolinx Open House, Abilities Centre, Whitby. At a Town Hall meeting in Whitby, Metrolinx C.E.O. Phil Verster stated that four options were under consideration for the extension. He advised of considering routing options for the extension south of Hwy 401.
- April 8, 2019 – Metrolinx Board members tour the proposed GO Rail Lakeshore East route and station sites. Metrolinx was joined by the Regional Chair and Clarington, Oshawa and Whitby Mayors. Metrolinx heard a Regional presentation on the importance of the project (see Page 10 of the linked Regional Council info package).
- April 5, 2019 – The joint Durham Boards of Trade hold a Transportation Summit in Pickering. Minister Yurek advises on the status of the Lakeshore East extension “that all options are on the table.”
- March 25, 2019 – Regional Chair Henry met with Minister of Transportation Jeff Yurek. Yurek and Chair Henry discuss the Lakeshore East extension to Bowmanville.
- February 2019 – a report to the Metrolinx Board on major capital project status included the Bowmanville extension as a project in the EA and design phase. It noted an approved budget for capital construction of $550M (2014) and an in-service date of 2024. This report attributed the same “EA and Design phase” to the Kitchener line (budgeted at $2.25B in 2016) and the Niagara line ($160M in 2014).
- February 2019 – Regional representatives brief the Minister of Transportation on the Lakeshore East project at the Ontario Good Roads Association conference
- February 16, 2019 – official opening of the Courtice Park N Ride by Lindsay Park, MPP, Clarington.
- February 16, 2019 – Metrolinx begins operation of the Park N Ride in central Oshawa. The facility is located on First Ave., between Ritson Rd. S. and Simcoe St. S.
2018
- November 2018 – Metrolinx C.E.O., Phil Verster met with Durham Region. Verster indicated that negotiations towards system-wide agreements with both C.N. and C.P. were underway.
- Durham Region and local municipal Council pass resolutions in support of the extension. These resolutions are sent to the Province and Metrolinx.
- June 7, 2018 – Progressive Conservatives win provincial election. Party election platform includes the extension to Bowmanville.
- April 2018 – Metrolinx held public meetings in Oshawa and Bowmanville as part of the E.A. Addendum process for this rail corridor. Stantec's findings were published in August 2018.
- March 8, 2018 – Metrolinx Board approved the 2041 Regional Transportation Plan. Expanding GO Train service in Durham Region builds upon planning work, and service and infrastructure improvements already underway through this Plan.
2017
- October 2017 – Technical Advisory, design, and construction support services contract awarded
- Addendum to the 2011 Environmental Assessment commenced
2016
- February 11, 2016 – meetings with Metrolinx staff
- April 2016 – Economic Impact Analysis released
- June 20, 2016 – Premier announces the extension to Bowmanville by 2023/24.
2015
- April 30, August 17 and December 17, 2015 – meetings with Ontario Ministry of Transportation (M.T.O.) Minister
- June 15, 2015 – Oshawa City Council approves an Integrated Transportation Master Plan.
- October 26, 2015 – meetings with Ontario Ministry of Transportation staff
- December 10, 2015 – tour of extension route and four station sites with Metrolinx and Ontario Ministry of Transportation staff
2014
- Metrolinx acquires the former Knob Hill Farms property for the proposed new central Oshawa GO Station.
2013
- Updated Big Move includes GO Train Lakeshore East extension and reflects Environmental Assessment route north of Hwy 401.
2012
- Metrolinx unveils Next Wave of Big Move projects, including GO Train Lakeshore East extension to Bowmanville.
2011
- The Province approves the Environmental Assessment for the extension.
- Approved Environmental Assessment (E.A.) chooses C.P. line route north of Hwy 401. The E.A. highlighted the advantages which led to the approval of the C.P. line as the preferred route.
- Metrolinx acquires a 10 acre parcel near the proposed Thornton's Corners GO station site.
2010
- Regional Official Plan Amendment 128 confirms the alignment of the GO rail service on the north side of Hwy 401 as a key driver of intensification and growth in Oshawa.
- Durham Learning and Business District (dLAB - a partnership of Durham College, the Ontario Technology University, Trent University Durham, River Oaks Group and Halloway Developments) is created. This partnership is based on the Environmental Assessment and the planned Thornton's Corners station.
2008
- November 28, 2008 – Metrolinx approves the Big Move, including the extension to Bowmanville.