Connect. Revitalize. Transform.
The GO Lakeshore East extension to Bowmanville is advancing. As one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada, the population of Durham Region is expected to double by 2051. The GO Lakeshore East extension is a long-standing priority for the Region, the province, the City of Oshawa, and Municipality of Clarington, and will meet the needs of our growing communities and our thriving innovation ecosystem. It will be a catalyst for growth and economic development.
Four new GO Transit Stations
The plan to build four new GO stations along the GO Lakeshore East extension will provide frequent, reliable, and accessible transit. It will open opportunities to new and existing residents and visitors to explore all that Durham has to offer.
The new stops include:
- Thornton's Corners East Station
- Central Oshawa Station
- Courtice Station
- Bowmanville Station
The GO Lakeshore East extension will:
- Create transit-oriented communities that will help reduce congestion, increase housing supply, and create jobs and economic development.
- Direct transit investment to planned growth areas, which reflect provincial and local planning policy.
- Allow for more efficient movement of people.
- Encourage private-sector housing construction, aligning with the province’s commitment to increasing housing supply.
- Support significant provincial investment in three post-secondary institutions: Durham College, Ontario Tech University, and Trent University Durham GTA.
This frequent, reliable, and accessible transit option will enable Durham Region residents and visitors to spend less time travelling and more time connecting with family and friends.
Funding new GO Stations
On December 4, 2023, the province introduced the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 . This legislation enables municipalities to support and advance new GO Stations across Ontario.
It is a decision that enables Durham Region to explore an upfront contribution to station design and construction costs for all four new stations along the GO Lakeshore East extension and recover them over a long-term period through a Transit Station Charge (TSC). The TSC is to be collected from landowners in designated areas surrounding the new stations, only when a landowner develops their land. This legislation ensures a fair contribution from real estate development near transit, rather than placing the burden on the local tax base. It guarantees that the stations will be built and ready for residents and visitors of Durham Region.
On June 15, 2023, Metrolinx awarded the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the GO Lakeshore East extension to Bowmanville project. The RFP for a Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) contract was awarded to Bowmanville Construction Partners. This is a general partnership between Ledcor CMI Ltd. and Dragados Canada Inc. This contract secures the services of a contractor to design and construct the rail extension for Metrolinx.
We're ready to move forward, together.
The GO Lakeshore East extension is important for Durham because of the potential to:
1. Drive economic development in our downtowns.
2. Transform and connect our communities.
3. Increase transit ridership and help achieve a more sustainable future.
Drive economic development in our downtowns
These planned stations will spark economic development in our downtown areas. This extended GO Transit route, north of Highway 401, will open new catchment areas for GO Transit ridership; stimulate job creation and mixed-use development around the stations; and increase land values along the corridor, near station sites.
The extension will stimulate the economy, with thousands of jobs; new homes; construction of office space, retail and commercial space, creating transit-oriented walkable communities.
The Region, along with local area municipal partners, will work with the private sector to help deliver a transit-oriented vision for the proposed stations and surrounding lands. Planning around the future station sites is underway—already attracting higher-density development, envisioned for Major Transit Station Areas.
Transform and connect our communities
The GO Lakeshore East extension supports an integrated and active transportation network accessible via foot, bicycle or bus. And, it has the potential to eliminate about 50 million kilometres of car travel, yearly.
The GO Lakeshore East extension will connect campuses jobs and urban growth centres. The extension will connect with local transit spines and rapid transit corridors, three post-secondary campuses, employment areas, and central areas designated for mixed-use development.
It will help ensure an accessible education system and modern post-secondary education sector, supporting significant provincial investment in three post-secondary institutions: Durham College, Ontario Tech University, and Trent University Durham.
Increase transit ridership and help achieve a more sustainable future
Increased rail use by the community will help to reach environmental goals, such as greenhouse gas reduction targets. This includes providing GO train service that meets the needs of a generation of people who prefer not to use an automobile.
Durham is ready for the GO Lakeshore East extension
Durham Region is home to just over 771,000 people today and is expected to grow to 1.3 million residents and 460,000 jobs by 2051. To support our continued growth and prosperity, we need a strong, integrated transit network. Expanding GO train service in Durham Region builds upon planning work and service infrastructure improvements that are already underway through our Regional Transportation Plan. More GO service to Bowmanville is part of the Provincial Planning Statement (PPS), 2024.
The Region will continue to work with our provincial and local municipal partners to ensure that frequent, reliable, accessible transit is available to residents and visitors—where and when they need it.
For additional project updates visit the Metrolinx Bowmanville expansion web page.
Want to learn more about the GO Lakeshore East extension?
Contact us at TOD@durham.ca
Contact Us