Extension From Oshawa to Bowmanville Will Create Jobs and Drive Economic Growth in Northumberland
Northumberland – Quinte West MPP Lou Rinaldi joined Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca as well as many Durham area MPP’s, Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson and Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier in announcing the extension of GO Transit’s Lakeshore East rail corridor to offer new GO train service from Oshawa to Bowmanville.
Extending the GO train network by nearly 20 kilometres and building four new stations will give people in Durham and Northumberland more transit options and help drive economic growth and job creation.
Through Metrolinx, the province’s regional transportation authority for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), Ontario is working with CP Rail on infrastructure and service planning for the extension, a portion of which will use CP Rail’s existing corridor north of Highway 401.
Expanded rail service will provide Durham Region with more direct connections to the larger GO transit network, helping to reduce congestion in the GTHA and connecting people to jobs. This will also help minimize greenhouse gas pollution by reducing car trips and improve travel times.
Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history — about $160 billion over 12 years. This is supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province, with projects such as roads, bridges, transit systems, schools and hospitals. In 2015, the province announced support for more than 325 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life.
Investing in priority transit infrastructure is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education.
QUOTES
“Durham and the surrounding economies to continue to be part of GTHA’s growth, the GO train cannot keep turning around at Oshawa. We’ve heard that; we understand that. Oshawa, Courtice, Bowmanville, Clarington, Port Hope, Cobourg and all of Northumberland County need faster and easier access to the seamless regional transportation network that we’re building. ”
– Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
“I am very excited that our government is expanding the GO Train service east to Bowmanville. I have been advocating for this extension for many years and am delighted to see it come to fruition. I sincerely thank the support we have received from Mayors Sanderson and Brocanier to help move this very essential service forward. It’s very good news for our commuters from Northumberland to have the opportunity to get off the highways and spend more time at home with their families. ”
– Lou Rinaldi, MPP, Northumberland-Quinte West
“The announcement today by Premier Wynne and Minister Del Duca confirming Go service will extend to Bowmanville clearly demonstrates that this government is committed to and understands the needs of citizens to the east of the GTHA. For Port Hope, Cobourg and west Northumberland this service will allow us to provide a better quality of life for our citizens of all ages, will lessen the environmental impact of commuting and will expand employment opportunities for younger workers and students as well as supporting business expansion.”
– Mayor Bob Sanderson, Municipality of Port Hope
“I am ecstatic the Premier and the Liberal Government recognize the importance of a GO service to west Northumberland. This service is invaluable in connecting Northumberland citizens with their jobs and vitalizing our communities and economies with young families. Special thanks to Lou Rinaldi who continues to be a champion for Eastern Ontario.”
– Mayor Gil Brocanier, Town of Cobourg
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Lou Rinaldi, M.P.P.
Northumberland-Quinte West
1-800-263-3980
