Toronto suburb supports freight bypass to expand transit services

The city council in Mississauga, Ont., on Wednesday endorsed a study on a proposed rail line to separate freight and passenger services in suburban Toronto.

In particular, the study analyzed the feasibility and business case of building a freight-rail bypass between a Canadian Pacific line in Milton, Ont., and a CN bypass line in Bramalea, Ont.

Known as the "Missing Link," the concept would remove freight traffic from the Milton and Kitchener GO Transit lines, which in turn then would provide two-way, all-day passenger services, city officials said in a press release.

"This project has far reaching benefits at local, national and international levels," said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. "This bypass is making a regionally integrated rapid transit network between Toronto and the Waterloo Region and would greatly benefit Mississauga. Fast, efficient passenger-rail service has been a priority for many years."

Conducted by urban planning firm IBI Group, the study cost $84,000 (in Canadian dollars), which was shared evenly between the Ontario municipalities of Mississauga, Toronto, Milton and Cambridge.

The report also recommends the municipalities work with Metrolinx, CN and CP to apply for funding from the Canadian government.

Once it's approved, the study will be sent on to provincial and federal governments for consideration, as well as to Metrolinx, CN, CP and the sponsoring municipalities.