Crews are widening the Sheppard Avenue West bridge to accommodate increased future GO Train service on the Barrie Line. 

The Sheppard Avenue West bridge is located in Toronto between Bakersfield Street and Chesswood Drive and is adjacent to Downsview GO Station. The bridge is being widened to allow for an additional set of tracks and train platform to be installed in the future.

For drivers using this route, one lane will remain open in each direction and signage will be in place to help with traffic in the area. No detour is needed. 

This stage of the construction work started this month and will continue until September 2023. Bridge installation work will follow. 

These enhancements are part of the GO Expansion program, which will bring more frequent rail service in both directions on the Barrie Line with service every 15 minutes or better between Union Station and Bradford GO and every 30 minutes up to Barrie. This means more transit options to help connect people to jobs, family and to more destinations across the region.

“Barrie Line GO Expansion will bring two-way, all-day service for people across Toronto, York Region and Simcoe County,” said Marco Quattrociocchi, Metrolinx manager.

“With more frequent train service, transit riders will have more options to get where they need to go.”

Traffic Impacts

People traveling in the area are encouraged to plan ahead and build in extra time.

Here are the details:

• One lane in each direction will remain open for traffic
• One lane closure in east and west directions
• No detours are required
• No impacts to driveways or intersections
• This stage of construction and traffic impacts will continue until September 2023
• Expected hours of construction work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday

Lane closures on Sheppard Avenue West are required for bridge construction. One lane in each direction will be maintained for traffic. (Metrolinx image)

Nearby residents and commuters can expect to see machinery in the area including excavators, dump trucks, and concrete trucks. The majority of the work involves excavating the road, hauling away debris as well as building the bridge footing and piers.

For more information on the Barrie Double Track Enabling Works project and to get the latest updates, sign up for weekly Toronto West e-blasts here or follow on Twitter @GOExpansion.

The latest construction notices are posted under Corridor Work – Barrie Line.

To connect with a member from the community engagement team, please reach out to TorontoWest@metrolinx.com.