Alghabra Announces Funding for Milton Line Improvements

By: Laura Steiner/ Local Journalism Initiative
Milton is getting some federal help with its quest for two-way all-day GO Service.  Federal Transportation Minister Omar Alghabra together with Milton MP Adam van Koeverden announced some additional funding for the Milton line through the National Trade Corridors fund.
“Two-way all-day Go train service in Milton is an absolute necessity.  I heard from my neighbours directly in the mornings at the train station, and that is why I’m glad our government is making it a reality,” van Koeverden said.  Details on how much of the $1.9 billion fund were not made public, but officials in Alghabra’s office revealed on background it will be approximately 50%.
Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney is pressuring the federal government to make a firm commitment.  “We are very interested in the announcement made by the federal government, and look forward to seeing a funding commitment from them in writing,” Mulroney said.  Among the problems with the Milton line has been track ownership.  Canada-Pacific (CP) owns the tracks, and there would need to be separation to allow for the movement of passenger traffic as well as freight.  In a letter written yesterday to Alghabra, Mulroney suggests that federal funding could be used to build additional tracks.
The lack of all-day service has been a key provincial issue for the last decade.  A 2010 Cost-benefits study on expanding the Milton line estimates the capital costs at approximately $128 million.  It also revealed that a Milton line would be making a profit by 2031.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to call an election within the coming days.