August 26, 2009

A Toronto-to-Peterborough commuter train is more than a chance to connect two cities by rail, it's "a convergence of shared interest" says an official with the Metrolinx transit agency. | Metrolinx, studying $150 million in possible improvements to the route for the federal and provincial governments, last week confirmed its work is on track for release in October. | The re-establishment of passenger service on the Havelock line through Scarborough, last seen in 1990, was a surprise budget item announced in 2008 by Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. | A few months before, Metrolinx released its regional transportation plan, The Big Move, which recognized Greater Toronto "needs to be well-connected with our neighbours," John Howe, general manager of investment strategies and projects, said last week. | "I'm really excited about the potential of this line," Howe added. | "There's a lot of momentum and interest behind all of this." | The study is looking at the costs of returning passenger service and its market potential. | Howe said the Toronto end of the route will be Union Station or Summerhill on Yonge Street, since Union "will face a capacity crunch" as the GO network maximizes. | The service could stop at Agincourt and other spots in Scarborough, Durham and York. Clearing a way through the Agincourt freight yard, one of the area's busiest, is a major engineering challenge and may require a grade separation, Howe said. | After a meeting with Transport Canada officials last week, Peterborough Mayor Paul Ayotte said he was encouraged by how the study was going, concluding the service will likely be open for passengers by 2012. | It could, Ayotte suggested, be useful for Torontonians who want to visit Peterborough museums and other attractions. | The Havelock line is still used to move freight at low speed. Track and infrastructure conditions, Howe said, are at present "extremely substandard."

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