Hamilton Confederation GO Station | ?m | 1s | Metrolinx

innsertnamehere said:
Metrolinx owns that part on the south side, but has not yet built it yet. It will presumably be built as an expansion in the future as demand warrants. For now it's just the relatively small lot on the north side of the tracks. This is air imagery from early April:

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Out of curiosity why would Metrolinx have chosen to develop the north side of the tracks if track loading is on the south side? It's hard not to realize how overbuilt this made the project with underpass tunnels and escalators, even so with the Confederation bus stop on the N side entering the picture only a few years ago.
 
Reidfenwick said:
Out of curiosity why would Metrolinx have chosen to develop the north side of the tracks if track loading is on the south side? It's hard not to realize how overbuilt this made the project with underpass tunnels and escalators, even so with the Confederation bus stop on the N side entering the picture only a few years ago.
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I think it's probably because the north side is more accessible to Centennial Parkway and the QEW, especially for GO buses. Plus CN may have wanted it that way, to keep their mainline straighter.

It may seem overbuilt now, but if more parking is added to the south side it won't be. And I doubt escalators will be installed -- they've been removed from older GO stations, probably because they become a maintenance nightmare during the winter with all the salt put down on platforms. The elevators will provide service for those with accessibility needs.

If the tracks were in a trench like at West Harbour we'd see much more being built. But this more "conventional" layout will be similar to other stations with tracks at grade (like Burlington and Appleby).
 
ScreamingViking said:
I think it's probably because the north side is more accessible to Centennial Parkway and the QEW, especially for GO buses. Plus CN may have wanted it that way, to keep their mainline straighter.

It may seem overbuilt now, but if more parking is added to the south side it won't be. And I doubt escalators will be installed -- they've been removed from older GO stations, probably because they become a maintenance nightmare during the winter with all the salt put down on platforms. The elevators will provide service for those with accessibility needs.

If the tracks were in a trench like at West Harbour we'd see much more being built. But this more "conventional" layout will be similar to other stations with tracks at grade (like Burlington and Appleby).
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over use of salt is a huge issue here, I wonder why they didn't bother heating the platforms enough to prevent ice forming. Sure there is cost to that, but there is also cost to continous salt application - direct and indirect.
 
innsertnamehere said:
IIRC GO usually installs heated platforms on its new stations. I would be surprised if that wasn't here.
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I can confirm that a hydronic snowmelt system is under the Confederation Station platform.
 
innsertnamehere said:
IIRC GO usually installs heated platforms on its new stations. I would be surprised if that wasn't here.
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They do. But still pile on the salt. Burlington had a platform reno that added a snowmelt system and despite that, the salt is applied liberally.

Could be the system malfunctioned (that platform has a lot of cracks now), or it could be Metrolinx covering its arse if anyone slipped for any reason. But when it's dry, where that salt layer is thick, I do find it provides poor footing.
 
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The Ontario government has completed construction of the new Confederation GO Station in Hamilton, marking a significant milestone in the province’s plan to protect Ontario by investing in key infrastructure that will reduce gridlock and connect more people to jobs and housing. The new station will expand fast, reliable train service across the GO train network and generate nearly half a million more rides annually.

“Our government is investing in the largest transit expansion in North America to help families and workers get where they need to go, when they need to get there,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The opening of Confederation GO Station will be a game changer for residents in East Hamilton and Stoney Creek, while bringing much-needed relief to Burlington and West Harbour GO.”

Service at Confederation GO Station will begin October 27, 2025, with all existing trains to and from Niagara Falls stopping at the station. The new station features a fully accessible platform with canopies, bicycle racks, a pick-up/drop-off area and 148 parking spots.
“As Hamilton and Niagara continue to grow, our government is connecting families, commuters and businesses across the Greater Golden Horseshoe to transit they can rely on every day,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “By opening Confederation GO Station with enhanced train service across the region, we’re making transit faster and easier, driving economic growth and protecting Ontario.”

Confederation GO Station is part of GO Transit’s Niagara Extension project, expanding GO train service to Hamilton and the Niagara Region, benefitting local commuters and visitors to one of Canada’s top tourist destinations.
“Confederation GO Station is about more than just building a station — it’s about building connections,” said Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton. “For Hamiltonians, it means shorter commutes, affordable and sustainable travel, and better access to work, school and healthcare. For visitors, it means easier access to discover everything that makes Hamilton such a vibrant community. I want to thank Premier Ford, Minister Sarkaria and Minister Lumsden for working with the City of Hamilton to expand transit access and create new opportunities across our region.”
In addition, the province is increasing train service across the GO network with enhanced service on the Lakeshore East, Lakeshore West, Barrie and Stouffville lines, starting October 27, 2025.

https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/...-construction-of-new-confederation-go-station
 
... So 3 trains a day for initial service? That sucks. A lot. Will anyone even use it?

A lot of trains will literally run right by it without stopping to the Lewis yard too that means.. makes no sense. I figured at a minimum those trains would service the station.
 
innsertnamehere said:
... So 3 trains a day for initial service? That sucks. A lot. Will anyone even use it?

A lot of trains will literally run right by it without stopping to the Lewis yard too that means.. makes no sense. I figured at a minimum those trains would service the station.
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Super infrequent service, plus it will take forever to get to Toronto from there.

Al Sweeney from CHCH asked a crazy weird question at the peess conference: "With this new GO station presumably connecting to the West Harbour station, people can get downtown pretty easily. Is it going to be redundant to have the LRT now going ahead?"

What?
 
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It's super confusing. The main text of the press release has that line that makes it sounds like only the three Niagara Falls trips will stop at Confederation. But then later it mentions "increasing train service across the GO network" and highlights the following:
  • Some Lakeshore West trips to and from West Harbour GO Station extended to serve Confederation GO
  • 13 weekday trips and 15 weekend trips serving Confederation GO Station
So I guess we'll have to wait until the new schedules are posted to see what the actual level of service will be.
 
BCTed said:
Al Sweeney from CHCH asked a crazy weird question at the peess conference: "With this new GO station presumably connecting to the West Harbour station, people can get downtown pretty easily. Is it going to be redundant to have the LRT now going ahead?"

What?
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Sounds like Al Sweeney has never taken the GO Train, and doesn't even know where the tracks run and the distances between stops.

If/when it' get's more frequent service, it would be cool if it was an option for people (cheap within the city) - but certainly couldn't replace what LRT would do.
 
berklon said:
Sounds like Al Sweeney has never taken the GO Train, and doesn't even know where the tracks run and the distances between stops.

If/when it' get's more frequent service, it would be cool if it was an option for people (cheap within the city) - but certainly couldn't replace what LRT would do.
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Or Al was trying or told to try to "stir the pot" a little.

It may be a bit more convenient for people living a short drive from the station who want to get to downtown Hamilton, though it's a hike for most to go from West Harbour to King or Main. Still, these non-Union-focused trips are what GO has been aiming for, and this is a prime example of what would be a "short" one that could be complementary to the LRT and other HSR routes (such as Barton 2).
 
ProjectEnd said:
So...ten trains?? With an additional two on weekends?
https://twitter.com/x/status/1973763872285974811

My god, Metrolinx sucks at this. Truly baffling how terrible this utterly inept agency is.
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you do realize they don't own the tracks right? What are they going to do. They negotiated 7 trains leaving in the morning, and 7 trains arriving in the evening at confederation per day. It's not horrible.... and will no doubt increase in the future.
 
BCTed said:
Super infrequent service, plus it will take forever to get to Toronto from there.

Al Sweeney from CHCH asked a crazy weird question at the peess conference: "With this new GO station presumably connecting to the West Harbour station, people can get downtown pretty easily. Is it going to be redundant to have the LRT now going ahead?"

What?
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Now that the rebuild of York Blvd. is basically done, is it going to make the QEW redundant for getting to Burlington?
 
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