Important construction work is happening this weekend that will impact travel on the Lakeshore East GO Line.

Beginning Friday, Nov.  5 at 9:30 p.m. until the end of service on Sunday, Nov. 7, there will be changes to Lakeshore East GO train service so construction crews can safely work on upgrading the Rouge River bridge. There is also some important track work being done at the same time.

GO trains will not run between Guildwood and Pickering GO stations. By shutting down this section of track, construction crews can safely and efficiently get a lot of work done over the course of the weekend.

In particular, the rehabilitation of the Rouge River bridge, a vital crossing for GO trains on the Lakeshore East Line. The 117-year-old bridge needs to be upgraded to support future GO train service levels. Most of this project is expected to be completed over the course of several weekends, wrapping up in in summer 2022.

Additional track repairs are also taking place that will improve train speeds, service life, and reliability.

https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/09/17/historic-rouge-river-bridge-to-get-new-lease-on-life-in-the-name-of-go-transit-expansion/

Here are the details on everything you need to know.

Friday, Nov.  5:

Eastbound to Oshawa

• The Union Station 9:05 p.m. – Oshawa GO 10:05 p.m. trip will be the last train to make all stops to Oshawa GO
• Beginning at 10:35 p.m., GO trains will only operate on an hourly schedule with service between Union Station and Guildwood GO every hour
• The 10:05 p.m., 11:05 p.m. and 12:05 a.m. eastbound trains from Union Station to Oshawa will be cancelled
• For Guildwood, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa GO customers, bus replacements will run express from Guildwood GO every hour to Pickering GO and then make all stops to Oshawa GO.

Westbound to Union Station

• The 9:20 p.m. Oshawa – 10:20 p.m. Union Station trip will be the last train to make all stops to Union Station
• Beginning at 10:15 p.m., GO trains will operate on an hourly schedule with service between Guildwood GO and Union Station
• The 10:20 p.m. westbound train from Oshawa to Union Station will be cancelled.
• For Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, and Guildwood GO customers, bus replacements will run express from Oshawa GO and make all stops to Pickering GO then run express to Guildwood GO

Saturday, Nov. 6 – Sunday, Nov. 7:

Eastbound to Oshawa

• GO trains will only operate on an hourly schedule with service between Union Station and Guildwood GO every hour from Union Station.
• For Guildwood, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa GO customers, bus replacements will run express from Guildwood GO every hour to Pickering GO and then make all stops to Oshawa GO.

Westbound to Union Station

• GO trains will only operate on an hourly schedule with service between Guildwood GO and Union Station every hour from Guildwood.
• For Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and Guildwood GO customers, bus replacements will run express from Oshawa GO and make all stops to Pickering GO then run express to Guildwood GO.

Bus replacement details

To ensure GO bus drivers can be assigned to regularly scheduled GO bus trips, Metrolinx is working with Coach Canada to help get people where they need to go.

Coach Canada buses will be available at Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and Pickering GO station bus loops to take people to and from Guildwood GO where customers can continue their train trip. GO staff will be on site to help guild riders and answer questions.

A temporary bus loop will be created in the north parking lot at Guildwood GO to accommodate a bus bridge to/from Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa GO. Customers will need to transfer from platform 3 through the tunnels and follow the signs to the replacement buses.

GO Transit will accommodate customers travelling with bikes and pets, so they can get where they need to go.

Friday, Nov. 5:

Eastbound

• Bus replacements will leave Guildwood GO 3-18 minutes later than regularly scheduled train service

Westbound

• Buses will depart Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and Pickering GO 27-35 minutes earlier than regularly scheduled train service

Saturday, Nov. 6 – Sunday, Nov. 7:

Eastbound

• Bus replacements will depart Guildwood GO every 60 minutes or more beginning at 7:10 a.m.
• Departure times at stations will be 8-23 minutes earlier than regularly scheduled train times

Westbound

• Bus replacements will depart Oshawa GO every 60 minutes or more beginning at 5:15 a.m.
• Departure times at stations will be 20-35 minutes earlier than regularly scheduled train times

Pay before you board with these easy options

• Buy your GO Transit tickets online to enjoy the ease and convenience of a GO Transit e-ticket or take advantage of one of the GO Transit Weekend Pass options
• Ticket vending machines are available at stations to purchase a paper ticket
• Mobile users – either using Android or an iPhone – can instantly load funds and passes onto your PRESTO card
• PRESTO machines are available at Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, and Oshawa GO bus loops
  • Eastbound to Oshawa: Tap on the device at Union Station or your originating station rail platform when boarding trains. Tap off at the PRESTO machine at your destination
  • Westbound to Union Station: Tap on the PRESTO machine at your bus loop and tap off on the station or Union Station PRESTO machines at your destination
  • Customers with default trips on their PRESTO Card will need to override their default by pressing the “Override” button on the PRESTO device, then tap your card as you normally would

GO Transit officials recommend Lakeshore East customers plan ahead before leaving the house as trips could take longer than usual. 

Use the GO Transit trip planning tool or find station specific schedules here. GO also recommends checking the GO Transit website for updates.