^ Image: Metrolinx

Metrolinx and its contractors continue a long-term project project to transform Rutherford GO Station by 2022, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

Contractors are also building a grade separation — a bridge to carry GO Transit’s Barrie-line tracks over Rutherford Road. This means that motorists will no longer have to wait for a train to pass — improving the safety of everyone near the station. The work zone for the bridge project may change the way you access Rutherford GO Station.

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From 7 p.m. Friday, March 26 until 4 a.m. Monday, March 29, the Region of York is closing

• Rutherford Road [Regional Road 73] between Westburne Drive / Barrhill Road and Confederation Parkway / Peter Rupert Avenue,

in the City of Vaughan, while crews complete roadworks at the Rutherford rail crossing.

GO is relocating the bus loop on Rutherford Road to the reserved parking lot at #635 Westburne Drive during the road closure.

GO’s also detouring buses along this route to operate to and from the temporary loop:

• 65E / 65F East Gwillimbury / Newmarket / Toronto.

York Region Transit is detouring buses along these routes:

• 85 Rutherford;
• 87 Autumn Hill;
• 107B Keele.

The construction does not affect GO train service this weekend. GO has temporarily cancelled train service along the Barrie line Friday evenings after 7 p.m. and all day Saturdays and Sundays since Saturday, January 23.

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This weekend, crews are removing asphalt to stabilize and prepare the east track diversion for service. The diversion will allow trains to operate through Rutherford GO Station and along the line, while construction continues on the west half of the rail-over-road grade separation. Fully closing the road over a weekend makes sure the crews can work safely and efficiently.

Expect noise from construction vehicles, equipment and crews. The contractor will carry out more disruptive work during daytime, whenever possible. Crews will direct site lighting away from residential properties.

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Since Tuesday, February 16, GO has temporarily relocated the two PRESTO fare-card machines outside the station building to near the entrance doors closest to Rutherford Road. The two PRESTO machines in the station building remain available.

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Since Thursday, June 26, GO Transit has closed about 130 parking spaces in the main parking lot closer to Westburne Drive. You will still have access to parking spaces closer to the station building.

Since Monday, June 29, GO has closed the north half of the platform for construction of a second track and platform.

This temporarily changes how you get on trains until contractors finish this phase of the project. You may have to adjust where you normally board your train. The doors of some coaches will not open from outside of the train. Spread out along the platform and keep the accessibility coach available for those who need it most.

The north half of the platform remains closed until further notice.

^ Click to enlarge.

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GO has also changed how you get into and around the station while contractors build a new parking garage:

• Traffic on Rutherford Road detours onto a temporary roadway between Westburn Drive and Peter Rupert Avenue. The four-lane detour road will be in place until crews complete the new railway overpass bridge “in spring 2022” meaning as late as until May 31, 2022.
• The work zone blocks the south entrance to the station from Westburne Drive. Use the north entrance from Westburne Drive to access the main parking lot.
• GO has reshaped the passenger drop-off and pick-up area or “Kiss and Ride”. It’s closed the two south lanes and extended the lanes to the west.
• It’s moved the bike racks to the west side of the station building, close to the Kiss and Ride.
• It’s relocated all reserved and most carpool parking spaces to a temporary parking lot at 635 Westburne Drive until the parking garage opens in 2022.
• It’s also relocated motorcycle and scooter parking to the temporary lot.
• It’s also closed ten regular parking spaces for safety during parking-garage construction.
• It’s relocated all accessible parking spaces to the two lanes west of the Kiss & Ride.

^ Image: Metrolinx

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Once contractors have finished the project, Rutherford GO Station will include:

• A new second track and platform to accommodate more frequent Barrie line service in both directions;
• better platforms with canopies to connect to the new parking garage;
• new elevators on both platforms to connect to the pedestrian tunnel;
• the new parking structure with 1,200 more spaces
• a new railway bridge over Rutherford Road to enhance safety and enable 15-minute two-way electrified GO service in the future;
• better pedestrian and cyclist connectivity, including a pedestrian bridge over Rutherford Road, and bike lanes on Rutherford Road;
• 100 new bike parking spots;
• a better bus loop for better connections to York Region Transit and the passenger drop-off and pick-up area or “Kiss ‘n’ Ride”;
• a better station building.

^ Image: Metrolinx

Metrolinx is also working with the City of Vaughan to improve access into and out of the station, which has become challenging as ridership has grown over the last few years.

Metrolinx expects to open the new parking spots and the grade separation in 2022.

^ Image: Metrolinx

You can learn more about the project to improve Rutherford GO Station here and here.

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Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Barrie line, as part of their GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).