Metrolinx is building a second track on a five-kilometre (3.1-mile) section of GO Transit’s Stouffville rail corridor to improve service to passengers travelling through Scarborough to Markham and Stouffville.

Contractors will start working this spring between Kennedy Road north of Milliken GO Station and Marilyn Avenue just north of Agincourt GO Station. This is the first part of a multi-year project that will expand and improve 17 kilometres (10.5 miles) of rail corridor between Scarborough Junction and Unionville GO Station. When crews have finished working on the project, GO can provide more frequent service in both directions along the line, supporting the Government of Ontario goal of introducing regional express rail service to the GO network.

Expanding the railway corridor also supports Toronto Mayor John Tory’s SmartTrack rapid transit plan, which would also see frequent “two-way, all-day” trains along the line. Last week, City Council approved funds to study the feasibility of the mayor’s transit plan.

Metrolinx intends to double-track the rest of the 17 kilometres and upgrade more stations, but its plans for this phase of the project are still in the planning and design phases. However, it expects to start construction on this phase in 2016. It completed an environmental assessment process in July, 2014 for its plans to expand the corridor.