My question is why? We are already double tracking the Barrie Line with side platforms, and according to the information this will take 4 years to build (so earliest finish late 2028). The explanation by
@crs1026 implies that they're thinking of triple tracking the station, which would be somewhat understandable, however the Architectural plans, available as part of the development application available on Toronto's Website (dated December 1st 2023) shows a double track station with no room left for an express track:
It's always risky to take renderings too literally (although sometimes they reveal important details that no one has talked about) - but -
First, I reported what was approved in the TPAP, ie two station tracks and one "express" track. The TPAP is now almost a decade old. There have been various iterations to the plan since then, and so the TPAP is somewhat ancient history - except that, having gotten EA approval, it will be easier to proceed all the way to triple track if that is ever actually needed. But the best answer at the moment is - while parts of the corridor including Caledonia GO
could possibly be built out to three tracks some day, and ML's construction includes futureproofing towards that, it's pretty clear that ML is not proceeding to that for the immediate future..
Second - has ML abandoned double track? If so, they aren't saying.... despite having repeatedly declared they are double tracking all the way to Maple at least. The roadbed segment south of Caledonia GO (ie the flyover, and northwards from it to just south of Eglinton) is clearly being prepared for double track, as is the segment from Lawrence up to Steeles. If ML is planning to leave a segment of single track from Eglinton to Lawrence, that's new information, and is a bit at odds with the premise of 2WAD on 15 minute or better headways. I would expect that a 2-platform station would be prudent if not essential for that level of traffic.
Possibly ML has changed its mind, or has decided on a service plan that offers only limited service at Caledonia, or ONExpress has offered a new view. OR possibly the second platform has been deferred for cash flow reasons. Or possibly it's just a disconnect between the designers and the PR people who asked for some fresh renderings..
If ML is now saying single track....I would say this is a classic example of ML changing its mind too frequently and not sticking with a plan.... as well as not being transparent about the scope of its work, and not being accountable for minimising rework and redundant re-planning. I continue to grind the axe about how detailed scope for all ML projects needs to be discoverable, and changes to scope need to be minuted and also discoverable.
BTW the
EA for the Caledonia GO was initiated in April 2015 and the
RFP for design of the station was let in July 2020. And here we are in July 2024, waiting to hear who is selected to build the station. Construction will take 3-4 years. This is not the steady expeditious flow of progress that Mr Verster waxes poetic about in Board meetings.
- Paul
