Major construction is underway at Woodbine GO Station in northwest Toronto, moving Ontario’s broader GO Transit expansion forward as the province works toward more frequent, two-way, all-day service on key parts of the regional rail network.
Construction crews are now building station platforms that will eventually serve both Kitchener GO Line and Union-Pearson Express trains. The Ontario government says the project will connect thousands of daily passengers with regional and local transit while creating more than 300 jobs during construction.
Woodbine GO Station to Expand Regional Transit Connections
Located at Woodbine Racetrack along Highway 27, the new station will sit between the existing Etobicoke North and Malton GO stations on the Kitchener Line. It is expected to replace Etobicoke North GO Station, which the province says does not have sufficient capacity to accommodate anticipated future growth.
“The start of major construction at Woodbine GO is great news for families and commuters in Etobicoke and along the entire Kitchener Line,” said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. “As part of our historic expansion of GO service across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, this new station will increase capacity, cut travel times and connect thousands more people to reliable, affordable transit.”
The current phase follows site clearing, grading and excavation work that began last year. A temporary track separation and two access bridges have also been completed, allowing construction of the platforms to proceed.
Station Designed to Link GO, UP Express and Local Transit
Once completed, Woodbine GO Station will feature island platforms serving GO Transit and UP Express trains, dedicated GO parking, pedestrian bridges and accessible, barrier-free facilities. A bus loop will connect passengers with local transit networks.
The station is planned as an interchange for services including the TTC, MiWay, York Region Transit and Brampton Transit. It will also provide connections toward Toronto Pearson International Airport.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing nearly $70 billion to deliver the largest transit expansion in North America, cutting travel times, fighting gridlock and connecting more people to jobs, housing and opportunities across the province,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Woodbine GO Station will make it faster and easier for Ontarians to get where they’re going, whether they’re travelling for work, school, entertainment or catching a flight at Pearson Airport.”
The station is also expected to improve transit access to Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus, which has more than 19,000 full-time students, along with Woodbine Mall and Etobicoke General Hospital.
Transit Investment Tied to Housing and Economic Development
Woodbine Entertainment says improved transit access is expected to support a wider redevelopment around the racetrack, including plans for thousands of new homes.
“Woodbine GO Station will be transformative for Toronto’s northwest, improving transit access and unlocking the delivery of more than 20,000 new homes as part of a major new urban development centred around Woodbine Racetrack. Horse racing will remain the heart and soul of the destination, with new communities, activities and investment not only building a new cornerstone in our city but also helping to strengthen the future of our sport in Ontario,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment.
Metrolinx President and CEO Michael Lindsay said the project would also strengthen links between regional transportation and major destinations.
“Metrolinx is proud to be building new stations and links to entertainment destinations across Ontario. Not only will the new Woodbine Station serve as the front door to world-class gaming and racing, but its completion will also provide new ways to access Pearson and better enable greater service on the Kitchener Line.”
Ontario Continues Investment in GO Expansion
Ontario says it has invested more than $15 billion to date in GO Expansion projects. Recent changes on the Kitchener corridor include daily round trips between Toronto and Stratford and the introduction of weekend service between Toronto and Kitchener.
The province has also reached an agreement-in-principle to acquire more than 20 kilometres of the Halton subdivision between Bramalea GO and Georgetown GO stations, a move intended to support future two-way, all-day service.
“The new Woodbine GO Station is an important investment in the region’s transportation network. The station will expand access to regional transit in a major employment, education and entertainment area, giving workers, students and visitors more transportation choices, while helping to reduce pressure on our congested roads. It also creates opportunities for future transit investments around Canada’s second-largest employment zone that would further improve the connectivity, competitiveness and accessibility of the region,” said Giles Gherson, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Marco D’Angelo, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, added: “Woodbine GO Station is an important investment, and we welcome Ontario moving this project forward. Better transit connections improve access to jobs, support economic growth and strengthen regional productivity.”
With platform construction now underway, Woodbine GO Station represents a major component of Ontario’s effort to increase rail capacity and improve connections between employment centres, residential communities, Pearson Airport and local transit networks across the Greater Toronto Area.