Metrolinx continues a project to upgrade Bramalea GO Station, as part of the GO Expansion Program.
Since August 2019, GO Transit and Brampton Transit buses have dropped off or picked up passengers at a temporary terminal at the station, while contractors continue upgrading the facility. Ten of the twelve platforms in the original terminal made way for construction of the new station building and a 2,059 spot parking garage.
This interim home ultimately became one of two bus-stop areas at the station. Both GO and Brampton Transit relocated most of their services to the new loop, while BT’s articulated - accordion-style - Züm buses continued to serve passengers on the street beside the station.
After contractors completed the station building and parking garage in September. they continued working at the station, including demolishing the original station building. Once they cleared this area, they started working on the future permanent bus bays, featuring continuous covered canopies, a bicycle shelter and vendor space.
According to a post on the Metrolinx News blog, by Stacey Kenny, Metrolinx senior advisor, Communications and Stakeholder Relations,
“Then COVID had an impact.
“During this transition, pandemic-related material shortages started to affect the construction schedule and push the project delivery dates back. To help claw back some of this delay, the delivery team worked closely with project partners to develop a unique phasing option that would help to put the schedule back on track.
“The team’s proposal was to temporarily move the bus terminal, again, to eliminate an entire phase, save costs, and regain some days in the delivery schedule.
“The team would move away from the original plan to complete the continuous bus canopy that will stretch from the station building to the new entrance to the west tunnel, which was originally to be completed in two stages, now to be completed in one.
“This allowed the team to immediately start to construct the future surface parking lot. Now complete, the parking lot had some curbs and a few paint lines put in place to create the new temporary home of the Bramalea bus loop and associated boarding platforms.
“Up next, another move.
“Work continues to prepare the future home of the permanent bus bays on the south side of the station building. This work is expected to be complete late this winter or early spring, and then, once again - for the last time - bus service will move to the permanent bus boarding platforms location.
“The current temporary bus loop will be cleared and repainted to become additional surface-level parking. The new and improved set up keeps cars and buses separated on their own roadways within the station, making it safer for everyone.
“Up next, another move.
“Work continues to prepare the future home of the permanent bus bays on the south side of the station building. This work is expected to be complete late this winter or early spring, and then, once again - for the last time - bus service will move to the permanent bus boarding platforms location.
“The current temporary bus loop will be cleared and repainted to become additional surface-level parking. The new and improved set up keeps cars and buses separated on their own roadways within the station, making it safer for everyone.
“It’s a bit complicated, but it’ll lead to finding a permanent place where riders can get on and off their buses all while staying covered while connecting to their next destination.
“In fact, when the project is complete, two new bus loops with dedicated Züm platforms will serve the station - one on the east and the other on the west side of the new station building.
“Improved bus bays will also allow for increased service, and new traffic signals on Steeles Avenue and Bramalea Road will ensure all vehicles can exit the station safely and efficiently.”
So, starting Monday, December 20, GO is again relocating the bus loop to a new temporary location in front of the station building.
^ *Click to enlarge.
Check bus platform signs before you board your bus and review the list below to learn where buses along each route pick up passengers:
GO Transit buses
- 30 Kitchener / Brampton express
- Westbound buses continue to pick up passengers at platform 8.
- 31 Guelph / Georgetown / Toronto
- Eastbound buses drop off or pick up passengers at platform 14, instead of platform 12.
- Westbound buses serve passengers at platform 11, instead of platform 12.
- 32 Brampton / Trinity Common / North York
- Eastbound buses serve platform 14, instead of platform 12.
- Westbound buses serve platform 11, instead of platform 12.
- 36 Brampton / North York express
- Eastbound buses serve platform 7, instead of platform 5.
- Westbound buses continue to serve platform 8.
- 41 Hamilton / Pickering
- 47 Hamilton / Vaughan
- Eastbound buses serve platform 16, instead of platform 11.
- Westbound buses serve platform 6, instead of platform 10.
- 48 Guelph / Vaughan
- 56 Oshawa / Oakville
- Eastbound buses serve platform 16, instead of platform 11.
- Westbound buses serve platform 5, instead of platform 9.
Brampton Transit
- 13 Avondale
- Northbound buses pick up passengers at platform 10, instead of platform 7.
- 15 Bramalea
- Southbound buses serve passengers at platform 13, instead of platform 6.
- Northbound buses serve platform 12, instead of platform 13.
- 15A Bramalea
- Northbound buses serve platform 12, instead of platform 13.
- 16 Southgate
- Northbound buses serve platform 9, instead of platform 7.
- 40 Central Industrial
- Southbound buses serve passengers at platform 13, instead of platform 14.
Use new pedestrian paths from Steeles Avenue East, the GO station building and parking garage to get to and from the new temporary bus loop.
The new temporary bus loop location is expected to be in place until major construction is complete later next spring (meaning as late as June 30, 2022) and permanent bus platforms will open then and bus-only lanes from Steeles Avenue East and Bramalea Road will be available to make sure all vehicles can enter and exit the station safely.
Monday, September 13, GO opened a new station building, featuring a new tunnel, and a new parking garage with 2,059 parking spaces at the station.
That day, GO closed all outdoor parking spaces in the north parking lot. You can park your vehicle in the new parking garage on the north side of the station or in the south parking lot off Advance Boulevard.
The Bramalea Road entrance / exit also remains closed. This gives construction crews the space they need to complete civil and utility work and update the roadways to allow for better travel within the station property in the future. While the Bramalea Road entrance / exit is closed, you can use the entrance and exit lanes at Steeles Avenue West to enter and exit the north side of the station.
You can access the new parking garage, GO station building and east tunnel by driving into the north parking lot from Steeles Avenue West. Look for signs with information and directions to guide you to the parking garage. Use the stairs or board the elevator to the first level of the parking structure. From the first level of the parking garage, follow the indoor connection to the new GO station building. From the new GO station building, take the stairs or elevator to the new station building (east) tunnel to get to the train platforms. The new GO station building includes PRESTO payment devices, ticket-vending machines, add-value machines and a ticket booth.
You can access the new GO station building from the bus loop by using a temporary pedestrian walkway. Look for signs with directions to guide you to the new station and the parking structure.
GO has relocated accessible and reserved parking spaces from the northwest parking lot to the first level of the parking garage, where you’ll have direct access to the new GO station building. More parking spaces, including accessible parking spaces, are also available in the south parking lot.
A new elevator on the west side of the south platform is now in-service. The elevator means the station is accessible from the north and south parking lots.
Use the open portion of the new passenger pick-up and drop-off facility (or “kiss and ride”) in front of the new GO station building. GO has fenced off the former kiss and ride, while construction takes place.
Contractors have finished upgrading both platforms are complete and the platforms are now fully open.
Construction crews are getting ready to widen the south platform at the station.
GO has closed 40 parking spaces on the eastern edge of the south parking lot for construction. GO says, “There are still plenty of parking spaces available for you to use” at the station.
In the south parking lot, the work zone blocks the two eastern lanes in the passenger pick-up and drop-off area (or Kiss and Ride). Contractors need this space for construction vehicles to make their way to the construction site. You can use the remaining six open Kiss and Ride lanes.
The south platform is still open. A fence on the south edge of the south platform separates the construction area. The work zone doesn’t affect access to the south platform from the south parking lot. GO expects to start working to extend the west tunnel “early next year.”
Over the next few months, you can expect a signalized intersection on Bramalea Road for buses, covered bike parking, emergency-call systems and retail space in the new station building.
According to a post on the Metrolinx news blog by Flora Devarajah, Metrolinx community relations and Issues specialist, “The pandemic has provided an opportunity for construction crews to accelerate some work while many Bramalea GO [passengers] took a pause on transit. As [passengers] start to come back to GO, they’ll notice a lot has changed at their home station.”
During winter 2022, GO continues to work on redeveloping the north parking lot, installing the new signalized intersection at Bramalea Road and upgrading the Steeles Avenue East intersection.
Metrolinx and GO plan to accommodate more passengers and increase service along the Kitchener line, as part of their GO Expansion Program (formerly “regional express rail”).
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