^ 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 trains 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.
Starting Monday, December 13, you can access the new station building, while crews continue upgrading the station.
The 650-square-metre (7,000-square-foot) building includes passenger washrooms, seating and digital displays. You can relax in a waiting area that takes up about 195 square metres (2,100 square feet) of the building. The window design also maximizes incoming daylight. The station building is fully accessible with ramps, railings, automatic door openers and accessible washroom facilities.
^ Passenger seating in the main waiting area. Image, Metrolinx
Metrolinx is targeting a Gold level of certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program for the station building. LEED is a worldwide green building-certification program and Gold is the second highest of four certification levels.
Metrolinx implements a construction ‘activity pollution prevention plan’ throughout the construction process. It designed the station’s architectural, mechanical and electrical systems and equipment for more energy-efficiency. It reduced light pollution and overall water use reduction by carefully selecting lighting and plumbing fixtures.
^ East waiting area and washroom facilities. Image, Metrolinx
Now that the new station building is in service, the contractors will demolish the old structure. They will follow a safe process to deconstruct and demolish the building and protect the surrounding areas.
^ All doors include with automatic door openers. Image, Metrolinx
^ Accessible washroom facilities. Image, Metrolinx
Since Monday, May 10, GO has relocated the bus terminal and the passenger pick-up and drop-off area (or Kiss and Ride) to the northwest section of the parking lot off Westburne Drive. Starting that day, a work zone blocks the permanent bus loop and Kiss and Ride off Rutherford Road.
^ Click to enlarge.
GO buses along these routes operate to and from the temporary terminal:
York Region Transit is detouring buses along these routes to operate to and from the temporary terminal:
^ Click to enlarge.
GO and YRT buses continue to serve passengers at the temporary Rutherford GO Station bus terminal “until January 2022”, meaning as late as until January 31, 2022.
Since Monday, April 26, GO has relocated passenger parking and reserve parking to the lot at #635 Westburne Drive. Accessible parking remains available in the north lot at the station building during construction.
GO also adjusted the walkways on Westburne Drive to accommodate construction. Look for signs that will guide you safely to and from the station.
GO is relocating the parking lots at Rutherford GO Station “until Summer 2021”, meaning as late as until September 30.
Monday, March 29, GO opened a new temporary island platform.
Look for way-finding signs to guide you to the new boarding platform.
This temporarily changes how you get on trains and 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.
Since Thursday, June 26, 2020, GO Transit has closed about 130 parking spaces in the main parking lot closest to Westburne Drive. You will still have access to parking spaces closer to the station building.
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.
- 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
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.
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”).
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