Ontario Breaks Ground on Bowmanville GO Extension.

Expanded service will save families time and money, support economic growth across Durham Region and the GTHA.

WHITBY — The Ontario government has broken ground on GO Transit’s Bowmanville Extension, marking another milestone in the province’s plan to protect Ontario by relieving gridlock and expanding access to affordable and reliable transit. The project will extend the Lakeshore East GO line 18.7 kilometres into Durham Region, accommodating 17,000 daily trips and 4.9 million boardings annually by 2041. Once complete, the Bowmanville Extension will deliver two-way, all-day service, saving commuters time and money, while bringing families closer to housing and putting 10,400 jobs within walking distance of transit.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making historic investments to bring rapid transit to new communities and drive economic growth across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “The Bowmanville Extension will transform travel across Durham Region, bringing fast, reliable and affordable GO train service to residents from Oshawa to Bowmanville and connecting thousands of Ontarians to housing and good-paying jobs.”

The first phase of construction includes rebuilding and modifying bridges along the corridor, relocating utilities and making improvements at the Durham College Oshawa GO Station and the adjacent VIA Rail building. Early works began in spring 2025 and included tree clearing, geotechnical investigations along the corridor and the installation of a new watermain in Oshawa.

The Bowmanville Extension will run from Durham College Oshawa GO Station to Bowmanville GO Station, offering service every half hour during peak periods, hourly during off-peak periods and every two hours on weekends.

Quick Facts

·                Four stations are planned along the Bowmanville Extension at Thornton’s Corners East, Ritson Road, Courtice and Bowmanville.

·                In October, the new Confederation GO Station opened, expanding service in Hamilton and the Niagara Region with all existing GO trains to and from Niagara Falls stopping at the station.

·                The province is also building the Kitchener GO Extension, which will expand service in Kitchener-Waterloo.

·                Ontario is investing $70 billion to expand access to transit across the province, including delivering two-way, all-day service on GO Transit’s busiest rail routes.

Quotes

"At a time of economic uncertainty, our government is investing in critical transit infrastructure that will help make Durham Region an even better place to live, work, and do business. Extending the Lakeshore East line to new stations in Oshawa, Courtice, and Bowmanville is a transformative project that will shorten commute times and strengthen our connections with Toronto and across the region through reliable, two‑way, all‑day rail service."

- Todd McCarthy

MPP for Durham

"As more people call the Region of Durham home, our government is making sure communities have access to fast, frequent and reliable transit. By expanding our transportation network, we’re fighting gridlock, driving economic growth and attracting more jobs and investments to Durham and other parts of the province."

- Lorne Coe

MPP for Whitby

"Awarding the major construction contract for the Bowmanville Extension moves us one step closer to providing GO Train service to more people across Durham Region. This project will extend the Lakeshore East line by nearly 20 km, supporting 17,000 daily trips by 2041, and will add the transit capacity needed to keep pace with Durham’s rapid growth."

- Michael Lindsay

President and CEO of Metrolinx

"It’s a proud day for Durham Region—this is a significant milestone, many years in the making, set to transform connectivity for residents of Oshawa and Clarington, while improving transit access for surrounding communities. It will mean easier commutes, expanded access to job and learning opportunities, and more time for people to focus on what matters to them most. This extension will unlock housing and help local businesses grow. Thank you to the Province, Metrolinx and all our partners for working with us to make this vision a reality."

- John Henry

Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of Durham

"We thank the Ontario government for strengthening our transit network. The Bowmanville Extension will support the region’s growing population, attract new opportunities, and help create connected, sustainable neighbourhoods in the great City of Oshawa."

- Dan Carter

Mayor of Oshawa

"The Ontario Chamber welcomes this investment to extend GO service to Bowmanville as part of our ongoing advocacy for a more connected Ontario. Better regional connectivity will strengthen local economies and expand access to jobs and housing across the GTHA."

- Daniel Tisch

President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

"Today’s groundbreaking marks a significant milestone for Clarington and signals strong continued momentum behind such a transformative infrastructure project that will support local employers, attract talent, and improve workforce mobility - supporting the rapid growth and prosperity of Clarington and Durham Region."

- Bonnie Wrightman

Executive Director, Clarington Board of Trade

"The Bowmanville GO Train Extension is a transformational investment for Durham Region and the broader regional economy. Reliable, two-way, all-day GO service will strengthen connections between our communities, expand access to talent and employment, and support long-term business growth. Infrastructure projects of this scale help reduce congestion, improve productivity, and make our region an even more attractive place to live, work, and invest."

- Isabelle Foley

Executive Director, Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce

"TRACCS Transit and Rail applauds the investment and expansion of our rail network to Bowmanville. In a time of economic uncertainty, the Government of Ontario continues to invest in much needed public infrastructure that will connect thousands of residents to jobs, opportunities and entertainment throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe. On behalf of TRACCS, representing thousands of our members building, operating, and maintaining passenger rail across Canada, we look forward to continuing to support and enhance the delivery of these projects in Ontario."

- Mark Salsberg

Chairperson, TRACCS Transit and Rail

"CUTA would like to congratulate Premier Ford and Minister Sarkaria on another key milestone in bringing GO transit services to the people of the GTHA. With this extension, thousands of people in Durham Region will have better access to jobs, healthcare and education. It's an important step in the process of connecting the GTHA together and growing the economy of Ontario."

- Marco D'Angelo

President and CEO, The Canadian Urban Transit Association

"RCCAO welcomes the start of construction on the Bowmanville GO Extension, a transformative project that will improve regional mobility and help address the growing economic and social costs of congestion. Our research has consistently demonstrated these costs, underscoring why investments in transit expansion like this are critical to the efficient movement of people across the region. RCCAO commends the Ontario government for advancing this important transit project and continuing to connect communities to jobs and housing across the province."

- Nadia Todorova

Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario