Updated — Wednesday, October 12, 12:11 p.m.*

Metrolinx continues enhancing the Lakeshore West rail corridor, as part of the GO Expansion Program.

The Government of Ontario marked the start of construction on the Confederation GO station in Hamilton today, Thursday, October 6. According to a government news release, “The new station will help reduce gridlock and connect more people to jobs, housing and transit in one of the fastest growing regions in the province.”

When open to passengers, Confederation GO station will offer several key amenities, including:

• a fully accessible island platform, complete with mini-platform and canopies to protect passengers from the weather while they wait for their train;
• a pedestrian tunnel and entrance building to make it easier for passengers to get to and from train platforms;
• a 15-vehicle passenger pick-up and drop-off area;
• direct stair access to and from Centennial Parkway North; and
• about 150 more parking spaces.

^ The future Confederation GO Station. Artist’s rendering, subject to change. Image, Metrolinx

The news release explains that “The new station will support a more integrated transit network for Hamilton, providing better connections to existing local transit and GO bus services, while facilitating future increased GO rail service opportunities to Toronto and Niagara Falls.”

The government estimates that 122,500 people and 63,900 jobs will be within five kilometres of Confederation GO Station by 2041. It continues to work with Canadian National Railway (CN) for access to the rail corridor west of Burlington GO station to further expand GO train service into Hamilton.

The station is near the intersection of the Queen Elizabeth Way and Centennial Parkway North, south of the City of Hamilton’s lakeside Confederation Park. The site has already been serving passengers travelling aboard buses along the 12 Niagara Falls / Burlington route since 2019. The bus links Burlington and Hamilton with Grimsby, St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls.

The Hamilton Street Railway also serves the site, with daily service along the 44 Rymal route and seasonal service along the 56 Centennial route.

(Updated — Wednesday, October 12, 12:11 p.m.*) According to a post in the Metrolinx News blog by Rosie Hales-Wilson, Metrolinx senior communications advisor, “Community members may notice construction crews, equipment and material deliveries coming through the area, noise and vibrations from the machinery, and some ambient light from the site. Construction will happen mainly Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some overnight work as needed. When this happens, Metrolinx will advise the local community in advance and make every effort to minimize disruption as much as possible.”

^ The future Confederation GO Station. Artist’s rendering, subject to change. Image, Metrolinx

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