By Staff
December 8th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Metrolinx had to pivot and change its mind twice before it landed in the site for the new layover location that will be needed to accommodate the 15 minute service that is in the works.
The GO service operation had chosen a site to the west of the Burlington GO station where tracks would be put in to be used for the nine trains would be located overnight.
The blow back from several of the stakeholders meant Metrolinx looking for a new location.
Rendering of the line from the GO tracks looking south. Layover trains sitting on a siding
The thought they had found a suitable location on Harvester Road near Walkers Line.
That didn’t work – turns out the Sobeys supermarket operation had eyes on the site for the location of a structure that would employ 300+ people.
Fortunately for Metrolinx there was space a lot away that was owned and used by the Attridge transportation people.
They didn’t need all the space they owned and came to an agreement with Metrolinx that would have GO and the student bus company sharing the land.
School buses sharing the lot with the GO train operators
GO needs space for the train crews to park their cars and for some light maintenance including he cleaning of the trains.
Additional trackage will be put in place for the trains to layover when not in use at night.
It was essential for GO to have trains in place for the early morning traffic.
Time line for all this: It could stretch out to as late as 2028. Metrolinx just wants to be sure that they are ready for the new train schedule and the eventual electrification of the Lakeshore West line.
During discussion Metrolinx staff did say that the upgrades could take until 2028ntom be fully completed.
