One of Union Station’s best-known platforms is going to see some changes.

The work will be noticeable to many GO Transit customers, as well as those who’ve taken trips on VIA Rail out of the famous Toronto hub.

In November 2020, Metrolinx announced they had entered into an Alliance Development Agreement (ADA) with ONTrack for the design and construction of the Union Station Enhancement Project (USEP). The list of improvements to come is long, and includes removing heritage steel, installing overhead lighting, a new south concourse, widening platforms, increasing vertical access, and upgrades to passenger communications systems.

Converting to a shared platform will better enable GO train service to use it while other platforms are taken out of service to be widened during future phases of the USEP.

This initial work is anticipated to be complete later this year, and once the platform conversion is completed, improvements will include:

• A new shared platform for VIA and GO Transit customers to board and exit trains.
• Three new stairways to make it easier and more convenient for VIA and GO Transit customers to get to and from platform 20/21.
• New customer communications systems with trip information.
• Several new PRESTO devices at the bottom of the escalators and stairs to platform 20/21.

While this work is going on, GO Transit customers may experience some changes to the pathways they take to get to and from the York Concourse, as well as to the walkways on York Street, and the walkway on the  east side of Bay Street once it opens later this year. Directional signage will be installed to help customers navigate any routing changes in and around Union Station.

Construction updates will be posted on the Union Station Improvement web page and will be provided via On the GO alerts. Customers can sign up at onthegoalerts.gotransit.com