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Two-way, all-day GO trains in Guelph are one step closer

Excavation of track tunnels under 401 and 409 highways completed
20210211 Metrolinx highway tunnels from Metrolinx website
Tunnels under Highways 401 and 409 are designed to accommodate tracks that will aid in establishing two-way, all-day GO train service to Guelph. Photo from metrolinx.com

A new milestone was reached Thursday in the effort to establish two-way, all-day GO train service in Guelph. Provincial officials announced excavation of the second of two track tunnels under highways 401 and 409 was complete.

The 180-metre long tunnels were dug less than three metres underneath the highways, without disrupting the collective 21 lanes of traffic, as part of the GO expansion effort. The goal is to establish two-way, all-day train service between Kitchener and Toronto, which includes a stop in Guelph.

Commuter trains are currently available during rush hours.

"This tunnel project will help increase capacity on the Kitchener corridor and, where possible, support all-day trips, in both directions to reduce congestion," said Caroline Mulroney, minister of transportation, in a news release. "Our goal is to establish a more reliable rail transit system in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which will drive significant economic growth and job creation that will benefit the entire province."

The tunnels are each 11 metres high and 9 metres wide, and resulted in the removal of 70,000 cubic metres of material. 

In addition to providing space for two additional tracks, the tunnels can accommodate signaling and communications equipment. 

Excavation of the first tunnel was completed this past summer.

"GO expansion will transform the transportation network in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, allowing for more frequent travel across the region," said Phil Verster, president and CEO of Metrolinx, which operates GO transit. "This announcement and the work on the Kitchener line is a significant milestone which will eventually help get more people out of their cars and onto public transit, leading to a better quality of life for many people."


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