By: Laura Steiner/ Local Journalism Initiative
Milton is getting some federal help with its quest for two-way all-day GO Service. Federal Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra together with Milton MP Adam van Koeverden announced some additional funding for the Milton line through the National Trade Corridors fund.
“Two-way all-day Go train service in Milton is an absolute necessity. I heard from my neighbours directly in the mornings at the train station, and that is why I’m glad our government is making it a reality,” van Koeverden said. Details on how much of the $1.9 billion fund were not made public, but officials in Alghabra’s office revealed on background it will be approximately 50%.
Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney is pressuring the federal government to make a firm commitment. “We are very interested in the announcement made by the federal government, and look forward to seeing a funding commitment from them in writing,” Mulroney said. Among the problems with the Milton line has been track ownership. Canada-Pacific (CP) owns the tracks, and there would need to be separation to allow for the movement of passenger traffic as well as freight. In a letter written yesterday to Alghabra, Mulroney suggests that federal funding could be used to build additional tracks.
The lack of all-day service has been a key provincial issue for the last decade. A 2010 Cost-benefits study on expanding the Milton line estimates the capital costs at approximately $128 million. It also revealed that a Milton line would be making a profit by 2031. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to call an election within the coming days.
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