August 29, 2007

For Immediate Release

Governments and GO Transit Announce Extended Rail Service to Aldershot GO Station

New Government, Ontario's Government and GO Transit today announced the start of extended rail service at Aldershot Station on GO Transit's Lakeshore West rail corridor.

This extended rail service is part of the GO Transit Rail Improvement Program (GO TRIP), a $1-billion expansion initiative funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the municipalities, through the Canada-Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Fund. The joint fund provides funding to large-scale transportation infrastructure projects of major national and regional significance.

"This increase in service will provide the residents of Hamilton, Burlington and Niagara with another commuting option which will help ease traffic congestion, cut commute times, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and clear the air," said Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "This is another example of the commitment by Canada's New Government to invest in infrastructure improvements and promote environmentally sound transportation alternatives, such as commuter rail."

"We're extending GO train service to make it easier for commuters to take transit," said Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot. "Providing travellers with all-day service will help get people out of their cars and reduce congestion on our roads while helping to keep the air we breathe clean."

Under GO TRIP, a third track has been added to the Lakeshore West rail corridor. The new track will run on the south side of the existing corridor, from just west of Burlington GO Station to Bayview Junction, near the Royal Botanical Gardens. As a result of this work, GO will be extending mid-day and late-night service to Aldershot Station as of September 4, 2007.

The overall project is valued at $72 million, with the federal, provincial and municipal governments each contributing approximately one-third of the total cost, or about $24 million. Further work is being carried out on the Lakeshore West rail corridor to enhance accessibility and service. This includes the construction of two pedestrian tunnels and new elevators at Aldershot and Burlington stations that will be accessible to persons with disabilities, the widening of the south platform at Burlington Station to accommodate the new track, and extending the other platforms at Burlington and Aldershot stations to accommodate GO Transit's 12-car trains.

The Ontario government is expanding the parking facilities at Aldershot Station, with an additional 600 spaces on the south side and 390 more spaces on the north side. This will provide almost 1,000 new parking spaces, with the ability to add another 900 spaces in the future.

"This work will improve service and reliability for passengers on our busiest rail corridor on the GO Transit network," said GO Transit chairman Peter Smith. "These improvements will encourage more people to get out of their cars and onto a GO train."

For more information and/or updates on this project, call 416-869-3600, extension 5199, or visit the GO TRIP program website at www.gotransit.com/gotrip.

A backgrounder with information on the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, MoveOntario and the GO TRIP projects is attached.

For more information

Mike Wallace MP

Burlington

905-639-5757