Metrolinx lands federal funding commitment for Milton Corridor upgrades

Transport Canada yesterday announced the Canadian government is interested in providing federal funds for upgrades to GO Transit’s Milton Corridor and plans to formalize that commitment through a memorandum of understanding.

Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra has discussed the opportunity to improve the corridor in Ontario with leaders from the province of Ontario and GO Transit owner Metrolinx. The National Trade Corridors Fund — which was renewed in the 2021 federal budget with an additional CA$1.9 billion in funding for infrastructure projects — could support the corridor’s development, Alghabra said in a press release.

Corridor improvements could address bottlenecks and increase capacity to meet the growing needs of moving people and freight seamlessly through Mississauga and Milton to support the greater Toronto and Hamilton area’s expanding population and economy, he said. Milton is GO Transit’s third-busiest corridor, averaging nearly 30,000 riders each weekday prior to the pandemic.

In the greater Toronto and Hamilton area, GO Transit operates seven commuter-rail lines. In some areas, commuter trains must share tracks with freight trains, which can impact the fluidity of passenger-rail movements.

Through the GO Expansion program, Metrolinx plans to transform the greater Toronto area’s transportation network over the next decade. The GO Transit network would provide two-way, all-day service every 15 minutes over core segments. Necessary system-wide upgrades will include adding tracks, expanding stations, electrifying the rail network and installing train control systems to enable more frequent service.

Two-way, all-day GO Transit service in Milton is an absolute necessity, provincial and local officials say.

“Ontario has been seeking a federal partner to make the necessary contribution for this congested corridor to facilitate more passenger-rail movements, which can only happen safely when there is improved separation between freight and passenger-rail services,” Ontario Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney wrote in an Aug. 9 letter to Alghabra. “With federal funds, we can build additional tracks along the corridor so Metrolinx can run more passenger services safely.”