Project Profile: Union Station Enhancement Project (USEP), Toronto

The Union Station Enhancement Project (USEP) is a critical infrastructure initiative designed to expand capacity and modernize systems at Canada’s busiest transportation hub. This project addresses long-term passenger growth by constructing new platforms, tracks, and concourse connections while upgrading core systems to support future network demands like electrification. The USEP represents a strategic investment in improving operational efficiency and passenger experience within a National Historic Site.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

The core of the USEP involves significant track and platform construction within the constrained Union Station rail corridor. The project includes the addition of two new wide GO Transit platforms and two new passenger tracks, significantly increasing train throughput capacity. A new south passenger concourse will link the York, Bay, and VIA Rail concourses, streamlining passenger flow and mitigating congestion. The signaling system is being extensively upgraded to support increased train frequency and operating speeds of up to 72 km/h through the station zone. All new infrastructure is designed to be future-ready, incorporating provisions for level boarding to enhance accessibility and the necessary overhead infrastructure to support future GO network electrification.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity Expansion: The addition of new platforms, tracks, and a unified concourse directly addresses current congestion and prepares the station for a projected increase in passenger volume, ensuring its viability as a central transit hub.
• Future-Proofing Infrastructure: By integrating design elements for level boarding and train electrification, the USEP ensures the station’s long-term compatibility with modern rolling stock and a more sustainable, accessible transit network.
• Complex Project Delivery: The project’s execution within a live, high-traffic heritage environment showcases the effectiveness of the Public-Private Partnership (P3) and Alliance contracting models for managing complex brownfield infrastructure renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Union Station Enhancement Project be finished?

The Union Station Enhancement Project is scheduled for substantial completion in late 2025. This will enable the new platforms and concourse areas to become operational, significantly increasing the station’s capacity.

Who is building the Union Station Enhancement Project?

The project is being delivered by the ONTrack Alliance, a consortium contracted by Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario. This alliance is led by Kiewit-Alberici Union General Partnership for construction, WSP Canada for design, and Mass. Electric Construction for the signaling systems.