An unspecified announcement will be made from the site of the planned new Stoney Creek GO station.
by Matthew Van Dongen Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton MPP Ted McMeekin and St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley are slated to make an unspecified transit announcement from the site of a planned east Hamilton GO station. – Rene Johnston , Toronto Star
Liberal politicians from Hamilton and Niagara say they will announce “significant transit news” Thursday from the site of a planned $35-million east city GO station.
Hamilton MPP Ted McMeekin and St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley are slated to make an unspecified announcement from 397 Centennial Parkway N. Provincial transit agency Metrolinx bought that property and a neighbouring parcel two years ago for the proposed station.
That station started early stage construction last year and is supposed to be in service by 2019. It is not clear if the announcement will address long-standing questions about when Hamilton will see improved train frequency.
Right now, only two trains leave Hamilton’s new $45-million West Harbour GO station each morning. That station is on the same CN rail line that will serve Stoney Creek and eventually stations in Grimsby, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.
Metrolinx has previously estimated it will cost about $150-million to build the station and make improvements or changes to the CN-owned rail corridor that will allow GO commuter trains to connect between Toronto and the Stoney Creek station.
The new station is expected to have around 390 parking spaces, a kiss-and-ride and a pedestrian tunnel.
Local riders and politicians have expressed growing frustration at the wait for more frequent service on the corridor. Metrolinx has also said hourly train service will come first to the Hunter Street station, not along the CN line required to feed Niagara service expansion.
mvandongen@thespec.com