How will expansion plans for GO's Stouffville line impact Markham?

Find out at Feb. 18 info night being held at Markham Village Community Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 19, 2020
Heidi Riedner

Markham residents can learn more about plans for the Stouffville GO corridor, including twinning the tracks and electrification of the line, at the first of of 10 public information centres regarding Metrolinx’s GO expansion plans across the GTA.

"Fundamental changes" to GO Transit’s seven operating rail corridors will result in the implementation of over 205 km of new track and 680 km of electrified track that will be laid to allow for the more frequent movement of trains.

Metrolinx has identified infrastructure requirements such as new tracks, rail facilities, bridge modifications and crossing improvements to achieve established service level targets and is completing Environmental Assessments for these items.

Along the Stouffville corridor, Metrolinx is proposing:

• Approximately 5.5 km of new track;

• One new temporary train storage;

• A Unionville storage facility;

• A new side platform at Mount Joy GO station;

• New track on the east side of a new island platform at the Unionville GO station;

• Track upgrades; and

• Electrification (EA Addendum to the 2017 GO Rail Network Electrification).

The open-house, drop-in format for tonight's public meeting at the Markham Village Community Centre will include information on possible impact and mitigation plans, updates on network-wide technical studies including noise, air and vegetation management and project maps, as well as a panel discussion.

Rationale for the changes includes Unionville being the main turnback station for frequent train service.

According to Metrolinx, it requires additional storage north of the Unionville GO station in order to achieve the proposed increased service levels of trains running every 15 minutes between Union Station and Unionville Go Station.

The storage site is also needed for train crew changes.

According to plans, the Unionville storage facility would store trains to reduce congestion on the rail corridor and minimize non-revenue travel by being in close proximity to major GO Stations.

Based on a 7m-wide "electrification zone", 141 tress will need to be removed, according to Metrolinx.

That includes 40 Municipally-owned trees and 71 privately-owned trees.

Tree removal numbers may be altered through subsequent arborist reports, however, with Metrolinx also identifying trees needed for other "On Corridor" work such as new tracks, and noise walls.

Compensation will be provided under the city's Tree Preservation Bylaw, as well as under Metrolinx’s ecological compensation policy, where applicable.

The public information night begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Markham Village Community Centre and runs until 8:30 p.m.