Metrolinx has pivoted from a tunnel back to a bridge — a 2011 concept resurfaces a year after the Province awarded a contract to design a tunnel. Still no construction timeline.
Mimico Transit Forum, June 2 (4–6pm) — Metrolinx has confirmed they’ll attend. Bring your questions.
The pedestrian tunnel is half-blocked through June 4 (subject to change) — unrelated drainage work, not the accessibility project. Expect ~10 extra minutes at rush hour.
Weeks ahead of the yearly Metrolinx Accessibility Meeting, held on May 13, we submitted the question “When will Mimico GO have step-free access to the platforms” and got the response that the Community Engagement team will be in touch about that.
If you email the Metrolinx Community Engagement team (like many of you have done) about the lack of barrier-free access to the platforms you will be told:
“In regards to the accessibility improvements, Mimico GO is currently in the detailed design phase. The AODA legislation and standards are not retroactive, accessibility upgrades to existing buildings such as Mimico GO and Long Branch GO station are only required once renovations or construction occurs. Once this project starts, the renovated stations will meet or exceed accessibility requirements outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) – Design of Public Spaces and the Ontario Building Code (OBC).“ – Metrolinx Community Engagement team to a resident via email, May 2026.
Since 2012 the MRA supports Mimico GO Accessibility
If you have been following our work you probably know that neither Metrolinx nor Ontario’s Minister of Transportation tell us when the long overdue barrier-free access to Mimico GO station platforms will be delivered. Taxpayer money was spent on designs (2018) and failed Public Private Partnerships (2012 and again in 2024) that never became real, while electrification / modernization that would enable 15 minute service has been delayed to 2036 according to leaked Metrolinx documents:
In 2016 and 2018 Metrolinx shared with our community a plan for a tunnel with elevators that would make Mimico GO platforms accessible to riders with strollers, wheelchairs and suitcases. Staff of our former MPP’s office described this project as “independent from the Transit Oriented Community (TOC)” during one of our events at Mimico Library.
Last year the MRA together with our new MPP, Lee Fairclough collected signatures for a petition to Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria demanding he quickly make Mimico GO accessible.
Sharing a 2016 rendering to show us the project that has been deferred since 2018.
Who decided Accessibility at Mimico GO should be deferred? The Metrolinx Board? Infrastructure Ontario? Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation / Infrastructure?
We keep asking Metrolinx for an expected completion date which does not seem to be available, further eroding trust in this project ever becoming reality.
“Unfortunately, we were directed by senior leadership on the project to pause all communications and updates regarding the Mimico GO improvements project until further notice.”
Mimico GO, 2026: Design Underway (again!)
In the Accessibility Meeting we were shown the following rendering. It’s obviously not a tunnel. In 2025 the Province awarded a contract to design a tunnel but instead, a year later, we are shown a design for a bridge, a concept from 2011, see below.
2026 Design Underway, Construction Timeline not available, Source
2011 Design, replaced by 2016 Tunnel Design, Source
Bridge or Tunnel?
Does it matter, if construction never starts anyway? How long will Ontario taxpayers fund redesign after redesign, every few years, only to receive nothing but renderings without timelines?
Once the development phase is complete, the contractor will provide Metrolinx with an estimated construction schedule and associated costs for the proposed work, and if accepted, will be awarded a contract for construction of the work next year.
This could mean that conditional on acceptance by Metrolinx, the contractor could be awarded the construction contract for the proposed bridge next year. But what if they don’t accept the bridge proposal? Why did they choose the ‘Construction Management at Risk’ (CM@R) model for the delivery of this project?
Accessibility workaround: take the TTC?
♿️ On the dedicated GO Transit Accessibility webpage they direct you to use the TTC (Wheel-Trans) to get to Port Credit or to Union for GO access.
It seems like we have to remind the Province & Metrolinx that we are still here & still waiting. This event gives us the chance to hear directly from Metrolinx, and you the chance to speak directly to them. And in the context of National Accessibility Week, we want to give Mimico residents for whom the Go station in its current form is an insurmountable barrier, a platform to share their experiences.
Why is half the tunnel blocked?
You must have noticed this. It takes 10 minutes extra now to get off the platform and through the tunnel coming home at rush hours. See below residents reporting online about their experience.
Metrolinx Community Engagement team:
I’d like to also provide an update about work happening in the pedestrian tunnel at Mimico GO. This essential work is being completed on an accelerated schedule to improve drainage in the tunnel. This work is not related to the accessibility improvements for the station.
Work is ongoing and will commence in phases. Phase 1 is expected to continue until June 4, 2026 (Subject to Change)*. A portion of the tunnel will be narrowed to allow crews to safely complete the work. Most work will take place overnight to help reduce daytime disruptions. During the day, work will be contained behind protective hoarding. The pedestrian tunnel will remain open during regular station hours, with safety measures in place. There may be occasional overnight closures while work is taking place.
We understand that construction can be disruptive, and we truly appreciate your patience as we complete this important work to keep the station operational. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
*Subject to change in case of schedule changes or unforeseen circumstances.
That’s what we know so far and we hope to learn more at the Mimico Transit Forum, June 2, 4-6.
Is provincial neglect of Mimico GO making the station unsafe and pushing riders away?
See what residents and a pregnant woman are saying on social media:
