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GO Transit: Construction Projects (Metrolinx, various)

However in the meantime I haven't heard much action on the yard, though it is still shown in the GO Expansion track plans. It's possible that Metrolinx is hesitant to invest in a maintenance facility which would only be able to handle 3-car EMUs.

Especially since now they are saying they don't want to convert the current DMUs to EMUs. That was a selling feature of those trains but its turned out to be more cost and headache than worth.

I am willing to bet that once GO-RER happens on that corridor, they just use the same (albeit shorter) EMU's for UPX as the rest of the network and then modify the UPX stations to fit. Then it would be extra useless to have a maintenance facility that only serves these specific 3 car EMUs.
 
Opening day at Rutherford GO's parking garage and new platform. The bridge over the tracks to the new platform is also open. Levels 1-4 are open in the parking garage, the top two levels are still not open. Bike parking was locked when I visited for some reason even though the rest of the parking garage was open.


Drop off area:
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L1 of the garage
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L4 of the garage:
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Views from the bridge:
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Views from L4 of the garage:
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Elevator area. Top two levels are not open yet.
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Two more photos

Walkway on level 4 on the garage between the elevators and the bridge

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Secure bike parking. For some reason the door was still locked when I visited today
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Not planned in any capacity.

Go talks about more parking to come, but dont say how. Anyone know where / how / when Maple Go will get more parking if its not a parking structure?

 
Especially since now they are saying they don't want to convert the current DMUs to EMUs. That was a selling feature of those trains but its turned out to be more cost and headache than worth.

I am willing to bet that once GO-RER happens on that corridor, they just use the same (albeit shorter) EMU's for UPX as the rest of the network and then modify the UPX stations to fit. Then it would be extra useless to have a maintenance facility that only serves these specific 3 car EMUs.

Those type of conversion promises are made a lot, of course anything is technically possible - but its often totally impractical. The UP trains are unreliable and since we seem committed to low floor my guess is we will get rid of them ASAP, hopefully Bloor and Weston don't feel to awkward with the 80m long unused high platform . . . .

Opening day at Rutherford GO's parking garage and new platform. The bridge over the tracks to the new platform is also open. Levels 1-4 are open in the parking garage, the top two levels are still not open. Bike parking was locked when I visited for some reason even though the rest of the parking garage was open.

...

Views from the bridge:
View attachment 386843View attachment 386844
Nice wide and straight platforms!
 
Cross posted from the "Maps of Toronto's old rail lines?" thread: https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/maps-of-torontos-old-rail-lines.25310/post-1801863

From th staff report:

In November 2021, Metrolinx signaled their intent to proceed with Wilson Yard Expansion project but has recently deferred implementing the project until further notice. As planned, the scope of the project includes the decommissioning and removal of the Metrolinx owned portion of the Harbour Lead Line. To date, Metrolinx has not shared timelines associated with removal of the Harbour Lead Line with the City. As seen in Attachment 2, the removal of this 750 metre portion of the line would effectively sever the Harbour Lead Line's only practical connection to the Union Station Rail Corridor.

In addition to the above, Metrolinx notified City staff in the fall of 2021 that the removal of the Harbour Lead Line and Keating Rail Yard is consistent their Wilson Yard Expansion project. As planned, the scope of the Wilson Yard project includes the decommissioning and removal of approximately 750 metres of the Harbour Lead Line
owned by Metrolinx. This removal is projected to provide cost, design and access/logistical benefit for the Wilson Yard project, and improve the safety of the Lower Don Trail where it intersects the line. As shown in Attachment 2, Metrolinx's proposal would effectively sever the Harbour Lead Line's only practical access to the Union Station Rail Corridor. This would make the full refurbishment and reinstatement of operations on the Line extremely difficult if not impossible.

To date, Metrolinx has not provided timelines associated with removal of their portion of the Harbour Lead Line, but has recently notified City staff that it is deferring the project until further notice.

Ultimately, removing and appropriately conserving heritage features of the Harbour Lead Line and Keating Rail Yard aligns with several City plans regarding the development of creative industries and advancing public realm improvements within the Port Lands and South of Eastern Area.
 
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They created a nice document... but it isn't in use quite yet.

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I would think that if the signage had line letters and numbers this colourful flooring signage would be confusing. Interestingly none of the floors have a train and there is no exit to the street... unless there is a fire.
 
While things are a bit disappointting service-wise this month, I took a lot of comfort from a "shareholder’s tour" from Downsview Park to Milliken and back today.
There was considerable evidence of construction in progress and lots of workers seen active on projects on those routes:
- The Davenport project is coming along nicely
- Lots of activity between Lawrence and Sheppard on the Newmarket, with initial clearing, grading, sound fencing, and telecom activity in preparation for double tracking
- Lots of activity along the LSE towards the fourth main line
- Looks like the initial section of double tracking on the Uxbridge Sub from Kennedy to Highway 401 is pretty close to completion
- Kennedy, Agincourt, and Milliken stations all coming along well.
- Maybe because it’s late March, it’s easier to see just how much grubbing and tree removal is happening along all these routes.

What I didn't see was any sign of actuvity towards Caledonia GO. Also the bridge over the creek south of Agincourt on the Uxbridge Sub. All in good time I suppose.

Anyways, it was encouraging to see so many shovels in the ground in these lines.

- Paul
 
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