Update — August 6: You can view the information that GO presented to the public during the meetings here. (.pdf)

GO Transit has been studying proposals to extend its Lakeshore East train line beyond Oshawa to Bowmanville.

(Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the eastward extension as one of 52 projects in his MoveOntario 2020 plan in June 2007. Metrolinx also includes the Bowmanville service in its regional transportation plan, “The Big Move”.)

GO staff have worked with a private consultant to review routes and station locations. They also examined various alternatives for a rail maintenance facility and for areas for trains to lay over along the route.

Trains would likely cross over Highway 401 near the current Oshawa GO Station and switch from the Canadian National Railways right of way to the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks. (Using the CP tracks means that GO trains would end up closer to central Bowmanville than they would if service remained on the CN line.)

Now GO officials are hosting three open houses to let members of the public review their proposals, ask questions of GO staff and offer comments and suggestions.

All three meetings take place from 6 until 9 p.m.:

Tuesday, June 16

Durham College Whitby Campus
1610 Champlain Avenue, Whitby.

Wednesday, June 17

Holiday Inn,
1011 Bloor Street East, Oshawa

Thursday, June 18

Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, Multi-Purpose Hall
2440 Highway 2, Bowmanville.**