Thank you for your letter and continued interest in the future improvements at Mimico GO Station. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Ryah Kazman, I work at Metrolinx as the Community Relations & Issues Specialist for the Lakeshore West Corridor. I will be your main point of contact regarding any comments, questions or concerns that you have moving forward. I’m committed to working with the residents of Mimico, to provide answers to your questions about the Regional Express Rail Program (RER).
Over the course of the next 10 years, Metrolinx is working to improve GO transit service through the RER, which will provide faster, more frequent and more convenient transit service across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. As part of this program we are committed to modernizing our GO stations to allow for this new service and create barrier-free, AODA compliant access for all of our customers
As part of our commitment to bring 30-minute service to our Lakeshore West customers, we completed upgrades to Mimico Station in 2013. As part of these upgrades we have lengthened platforms, installed platform snowmelt systems, expanded the parking lot, and installed a kiss n’ ride passenger drop-off loop.
At the time of this work, the Provincial government announced the full funding of the Regional Express Rail (RER) program. This system-wide program envisions a level of service and ridership, and new infrastructure that will result in modifications to almost every station on the GO network. With electrification as a core element of the program, specific infrastructure requirements need to be integrated into station design. Metrolinx is currently in the process of completing a system-wide environmental assessment for electrification that will provide details that will inform station design elements for electrified train service.
In addition to the above RER considerations, recent developments around the station, including the On the Go Mimico condominium on the north side, and the sale and re-zoning of The Blue Goose Tavern on the south side, need to be considered and reflected in final phases of the work at Mimico Station.
While this work is underway, we will continue to work with our partners, the City of Toronto and the local community to ensure that that this second phase of station work reflects the needs of customers and residents. Design work and procurement at Mimico station will continue, in preparation for accessibility improvements with targeted completion in 2022.
As part of the Community Relations Staff, I look forward to working in partnership with the communities impacted by this work and for community feedback to be an integral part of our mandate to build and improve the transit infrastructure that is badly needed.
Should you have any additional questions or comments please contact me at ryah.kazman@metrolinx.com or (416) 581-1300.
Yours truly,
Ryah Kazman
Community Relations & Issues Specialist
Metrolinx I 20 Bay Street, 5th floor I Toronto I Ontario I M5J 2W3
P 416-581-1300