No. H129/11
For release - December 16, 2011
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO — Stella Ambler, Member of Parliament for Mississauga South; Charles Sousa, Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga South; and Gary McNeil, GO Transit president, marked the completion of improvements to Clarkson GO Station. The upgrades created approximately 140 jobs and have made commuting easier and more convenient for the more than 5,500 people who use the station each day.
"Our government is proud to invest in infrastructure projects that create jobs and economic growth, and improve public transit for Canadians," said MP Ambler. "These upgrades at Clarkson GO Station will increase access to transit, support more frequent and efficient rail service, and help cut commute times."
"This is great news for commuters in Mississauga that will make our public transit easier to use," said MPP Sousa. "A new platform, shelters and elevators will give riders a better, more accessible station. Ontario's investments in public transit are creating jobs, strengthening our economy and improving our air quality."
"Clarkson GO Station is one of the busiest stations across our system. The improvements we have made to this station will make our passengers' experience more convenient and comfortable," said Mr. McNeil. "We look forward to making continued improvements at Clarkson and our other stations that serve our Mississauga passengers."
The improvements at Clarkson GO Station began in March 2010. They included expanding the pedestrian tunnel to the south parking lot, as well as installing new stairs and elevators to ease crowding and make the station more accessible. In addition, the south platform was repaired; snowmelt systems were installed; and a new platform canopy, two new shelters and a covered mini-platform were added. These improvements will make it easier and more convenient for customers using the station.
The upgrades provide better access to the new track that was added in 2009 to accommodate 12-car trains. They will also help improve peak period service for the 60,000 commuters who use GO Transit to travel in and out of downtown Toronto each day.
The total cost of the project is $14 million. The Government of Canada is contributing $7 million, or up to 50 per cent of the eligible costs, through the Building Canada Fund. The Province of Ontario is providing the remainder.
This investment was made through the GO Transit Improvement Program, a $500-million joint investment announced by Prime Minister Harper and Premier McGuinty on February 17, 2009.
GO Transit is the Province of Ontario's interregional public transit system linking Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). GO carries about 57 million passengers a year and on a typical weekday runs 186 train trips and over 2,100 bus trips. GO Transit is a division of Metrolinx, an agency of the Province of Ontario. For more information on GO services, visit www.gotransit.com.
Building better public transit is part of the Government of Ontario's plan to create and support good jobs for Ontario families while securing the province's future in the new global economy.
Learn how the Government of Canada is taking important steps to support economic growth. Canada's Economic Action Plan provided almost $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding over two years and accelerated the $33-billion Building Canada Plan. This will contribute to long-term economic growth in communities across Canada through investments in public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, water treatment, clean energy and transit.
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Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Ed Steel
Office of the Honourable Charles Sousa, MPP
Mississauga South
416-325-6222
Vanessa Thomas
Media Relations
Metrolinx
416-874-5974
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Bob Nichols
Communications
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Toronto
416-327-1158
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to e-news at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news or stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr to keep up to date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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