Durham says the Lakeshore East Expansion of the GO train to Bowmanville is – after 30 years – now ready to move forward.
Yesterday (January 31), Regional Chair and CEO John Henry met with Provincial Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy to share the Region of Durham’s priorities for provincial investment, said a statement.
Key among the projects shared was the GO Lakeshore East Extension to Bowmanville.
“To stimulate post-pandemic economic recovery, the Region of Durham requests that the GO Lakeshore East Extension to Bowmanville be approved in the provincial spring budget. The extension has been a priority for businesses and residents in Durham for almost 30 years and there are many reasons why this project is ready to move forward now,” said Henry while pointing out that:
- The extension is central to our vision for an integrated transit system that will better connect people to jobs and students to education opportunities. It is a signature project in the region’s Recovery Framework and Action Plan;
- The frequent, reliable, and accessible transit option will help residents optimize their time so they can spend less time travelling and more time with family and friends;
- The region and our local municipalities are committed to the project. The extension has been embedded in the Regional Official Plan and we have accelerated our Official Plan policies for Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs);
- The extension provides an opportunity to increase housing supply, including affordable and supportive housing units;
- Strong ridership projections will provide much needed congestion relief along the 401, allowing for higher productivity and more efficient movement of goods;
- We continue to work collaboratively with Metrolinx to advance the extension and the Transit Oriented Communities Program; and
- There is little more that the region can do to advance the extension and future stations in the absence of a funding announcement.
Approval of the GO Lakeshore East Extension to Bowmanville is critical for stimulating Durham’s economy and getting people moving after the pandemic, said Henry urging the minister to support the project and use any leverage he might have with Metrolinx to ensure this remains their top priority. “We look forward to provincial approval this spring. We look forward to provincial approval of this important priority.”