The Burlington GO station is slated to reopen this summer — two years behind schedule and almost 20 per cent over the initial budget.
"When the project began in 2012, the approved budget was $15.5 million. The original $15.5 million and revised $20 million project budgets include planning, design and additional costs such as material purchases and support services above the construction," said Alex Burke, Metrolinx media relations and issues specialist.
The goal of the Metrolinx project is to improve customer service with a new station building, an improved bus loop configuration and ticket sales office, relocated Kiss and Ride and enhanced accessibility. The north and south service parking lots have also been repaired.
The repairs include:
Asphalt paving, curb and storm sewer repairs;
Installing a parking space counting system;
Adding new closed circuit television cameras, public announcement speakers and an intercom; and
Building a new lobby in the parking structure’s southeast stairwell.
During construction, which is being done by Concord, Ont.-based Bondfield Construction, the project encountered unexpected impacts and delays, which included:
A request by Burlington Hydro to relocate a transformer;
The requirement to relocate communications systems;
Power supply delays from Burlington Hydro to the new station building, which caused general construction delays; and
Two harsh winters and subcontractor issues.
As well as Bondfield crews, some Metrolinx staff are also involved in the project.
"Metrolinx has full-time on-site supervision provided by our design consultant. The design consultant provides weekly reporting to project management staff. Metrolinx staff are onsite weekly to review progress," said Burke.
The consensus between Bondfield and Metrolinx is that the impact on riders during construction has been minimal.
"The majority of the building has been constructed and is being utilized allowing south access to the station platforms," said Pino Antilope, Bondfield Construction project manager.
"Construction of the remaining portion of the building is currently in progress. This project has not had direct effect on riders as access from the south side of the station to the platform has been maintained at all times throughout construction."
Metrolinx did say there has been some disruption to parking facilities and station access throughout construction.
Benefits of the updated Burlington GO station will also trickle into improved service for riders who use Burlington city transit.
"Pedestrian access will be improved as Fairview Street is better connected by pathways within our transportation network, reducing walking distance to residential and commercial areas," said Garth Rowland, Burlington Transit supervisor of transit planning and scheduling.
"The new station will provide more amenities for passengers than what is currently available on the north side of the station. This will make waiting for connections a more comfortable experience."
At present, the project is 80-per-cent complete.
Meanwhile, in nearby Hamilton, new railroad tracks leading into the West Harbour GO station are scheduled to go live later this year.
Metrolinx officials were recently in Hamilton to tour the new $24-million GO bus facility and said a second GO train track should be operational later this year.
A more detailed update on Hamilton GO train service is expected within a few months.
Recent Comments
comments for this post are closed