More parking coming to East Gwillimbury GO station in 2018

yorkregion.com
April 4, 2017
By Simon Martin

If you’re hoping for radical improvements to the East Gwillimbury GO station, like a parking garage and grade separation crossing for the train on Green Lane, don’t hold your breath. That was the message Metrolinx director of infrastructure Nick Spensieri delivered to East Gwillimbury council on April 4.

While the improvements Metrolinx are making along the Barrie corridor are massive investments, changes at the East Gwillimbury station are relatively minor in comparison to other areas.

Spensieri said the current plan was to build another surface parking lot near the station with about 500 new spaces. Construction is expected to begin on the parking lot in 2018. 

Council members acknowledged the need for more parking spots at the lot, but there was disappointment that there were no imminent plans for a parking garage on the site. “It is time for it now,” Coun. Marlene Johnston said. That sentiment was echoed by Coun. Tara Roy-DiClemente who said surface-based parking doesn’t really mesh with what the future of Green Lane looks like.

Spensieri acknowledged that grade separation crossing are what everybody wants, but with 50 level crossings in York Region they will remain part of the network including Green Lane for now. “We don’t have the money. I wish we did but we don’t,” he said.