TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling for development of a freight rail bypass to the west of Toronto that he says would allow “significant, longer-term expansion” of GO Transit commuter rail service in the region.
In a letter today (Jan. 9, 2025) to the chairman of provincial transit agency Metrolinx, posted on X.com, Ford said the agency needs to explore a bypass between CPKC’s main line in Milton, Ont., and a CN bypass line in Bramalea, about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) to the northeast, as part of what he calls GO 2.0, “the next generation GO passenger train service.”
Ford wrote that “the potential of this diversion, along with upgrades to existing freight rail corridors, could enable the expansion of GO train service and provide new and more convenient transit options for millions of people across Southern Ontario.”
Ford then directed Metrolinx to work with CPKC and CN to gain their agreement in principle by ensuring freight capacity equal to or greater than that which currently exists; undertake a preliminary assessment of elements necessary for GO 2.0, including the bypass and potential new GO lines and stations; and to work with the Ministry of Transportation to develop a timeline to complete those tasks.
The bypass proposal, known as the “the Missing Link,” was the subject of a 2015 study by the municipalities of Toronto, Mississauga, Cambridge, and Milton. The bypass would allow full-day, bidirectional commuter rail service on GO’s Milton and Kitchener lines, which is currently not feasible because of the volume of freight traffic. At that time, the study estimated the project would cost about $Ca5.3 billion.
A Toronto Star report notes that the GO stations in Milton and Bramalea are currently only connected by bus, via a trip taking up to 2 hours.
General coment on maps: If the name of a town appears in a story is would be helpful it was printed on the map, i.e. “Bramalea”. I realize this is a 2015 map and not produced by Trains.
Yes, George. Same applies to TRAINS MAGAZINE. The maps are excellent but sometimes fail to include a town (rail junction, etc.) that appears in the article. Including an article with map that I read earlier today in a print edition.
Bramlea is I believe part of Brampton, each the site of assembly plants for AMC, AMC’s last owner Renault, and AMC’s successors Chrysler and Stellantis.
I am by no means familiar enough with the area to speak with any competency on what Metrolinx is proposing here. A cursory glance at the maps seems to indicate building this “missing link” in an easement along the 407. There even seems to be space along the ROW.
So noted Daniel. I missed that possibility. We have never driven along the 407.
This reminds me of a citizen comment (years ago), a woman who wanted CNR to build a bypass around Waukesha, Wisconsin, so as to abandon the main track that cuts through the city. If I knew the woman, I’d have handed her a map of Waukesha County and a sharpie, and say to her, Show me the route you have in mind for your bypass.
Can’t say I’m familiar with Mississauga and Milton, only to note it’s a heavily built-up suburban area. If there’s real estate available for this “missing link” to be built, such as an abandoned or underutilized railroad branch line, that’s possible but I can’t find such on my computer’s map program.
In the meantime, that out-of-scale, no-detail concept map is an insult to the intelligence of anyone who has ever tried to get anything built in a developed area. I say to this: come back with a map of the route for the “missing link” and more detail, such as how many homes you propose to demolish.
Here in USA, it’s almost to the point that state DOT’s have to stand on their head and win a court case to seize even one home for a highway project. Can’t imagine it’s much easier in Canada.