Track Improvements

Upgrades to the tracks will improve reliability and efficiency of train operations.

When the track layout around Union Station was designed, the emphasis was on moving intercity long-distance passenger trains and freight. Those requirements have largely been replaced by the need to move commuters in and out of downtown Toronto. While the total number of station tracks will remain the same, tracks are being reconfigured to reduce the amount of switching between tracks.

As part of the renewal program, track and switches are being upgraded to increase reliability and allow faster train speeds on the approaches to Union Station. There are over 100 switches which are being replaced over a six year period, with 2012 being the final year of the program. The installation and testing of a single switch is an around-the-clock operation, started after the Friday night rush and ending just before the Monday morning operations start up.

New track in the “fly-under” west of Union Station

The main objective of this project is to build a third main track through the fly-under (tunnel) west of Union Station, providing an additional route from the Georgetown and Lakeshore West corridors through to Union Station. This will give us added capacity on the west approach to Union Station for growth in train service, provide more routing options, and help to lessen the impact of train delays. Construction of the new, third track will require new retaining walls leading to the fly-under, along with grading and drainage work. This work started in April 2010.

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CURRENT STATUS: January 2012

• Wall construction is complete
• Track-related construction (Union Station west to Bathurst Street) continues

PROJECT TIMELINE

• Construction Started: Spring 2010
• Overall Target Completion Date: Summer 2012

Track Improvements: Switch Replacement

There are about 100 track switches that need to be replaced in the Union Station Rail Corridor. New switches will allow trains to run faster into and out of Union Station giving us options to add more service as ridership increases.

Track switches move trains from one track to the next, allowing an approaching train to take either one route or the other. Some of the switches around Union Station have more complicated designs; these are called Double Slip Switches. Switch replacement is a complex process involving advance planning and preparatory work, installation, and testing. The installation and testing of a single switch is an around the clock operation, starting after the Friday rush and ending just before the Monday morning operations start up.

Speeds through the double slip switches are limited to 25 km per hour. After the switches are replaced, we will see speeds of 50 to 70 km per hour.

This work on the track switches is being done over a six-year period. Crews are working at night and on weekends to minimize disruption to GO Train service.

CURRENT STATUS: July 2011

• Double Slip Switch (DSS) replacement program is 85% complete

PROJECT TIMELINE

• Of the 100 locations where switches need to be replaced, nine locations were completed during construction season in 2006, 22 in 2007, 18 in 2008, 23 in 2009, 17 in 2010 and 16 are scheduled for 2011
• Major work at Cherry Street was finished during the summer of 2009, in advance of the signal modernization work planned for this area
• Overall Target Completion Dated: November 2012