Metrolinx has been making progress on the design for the Bowmanville Extension and will now be updating the environmental studies for the project.

An update (addendum) to the Environmental Project Report (EPR) is almost ready for review.

The transit agency is one step closer to getting shovels in the ground and bringing two-way, all-day rail service from Oshawa to Bowmanville.

The Bowmanville Extension project will bring nearly 20 kilometers of new rail line to better connect people to regional transit, reduce in-vehicle travel times from Bowmanville to Union Station by 15 minutes and will allow more access to destinations around the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Metrolinx is also exploring opportunities to deliver the four proposed GO Stations along the new alignment through the transit-oriented communities program.

Background

As part of the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP), an addendum to the EPR must be undertaken when there are significant design changes made to the project.

Since completion of the EPR in 2011, Metrolinx has advanced the design of the Bowmanville Extension project – including changes to the proposed layover facility and potential GO station locations, track alignment, the addition of new bridges, bridge replacements and the modification of existing bridges to accommodate the proposed new tracks.

The TPAP Addendum is a time-regulated assessment process where potential environmental impacts of a preferred design for the project are evaluated through field work and modelling.

Proposed solutions to eliminate or reduce the effect of those impacts are outlined, and the information is documented in the EPR Addendum for the project.

Get Involved

As part of the EPR Addendum for the Bowmanville Extension project there will be a virtual public information centre from June 8 to June 21, 2023, to present and seek feedback on the results of the technical studies, including potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures. There will also be a live open house on Wednesday, June 14 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The project team will be on hand to answer questions about the project, which can be submitted in advance online, or asked live during the event.

The team reads and considers all comments received, which are then documented in the EPR Addendum.

Review materials and register for the open house here: www.metrolinx.com/bowmanville.

Next Steps

Following the virtual public information centre, the Notice of EPR Addendum will be issued in Summer 2023.

Then, the EPR Addendum and supporting information will be made available online for a 30-day public review period.

The process will conclude after Metrolinx receives a Notice to Proceed from the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks and issues a Statement of Completion for the EPR Addendum, which is needed before construction can begin.

For more information on the procurement process and Preliminary Design Business Case for the project click here.

For updates follow us on Twitter and Instagram @GOExpansion and sign-up for the Durham newsletter.

Residents can contact the Durham Community Engagement team at DurhamRegion@metrolinx.com with questions about the project.