First train rolls in, new James Street GO station opens this week
Public trains to start running Thursday
Trains will start running into the new James Street North GO station this week, just in time for the Pan Am Games.
At the still unfinished station, the "West Harbour" station sign was being installed as the ceremonial train carrying Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca made it's way from Union Monday.
Del Duca arrived by train just after 11:30 a.m., with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger waiting track side to greet the minister and Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig. Despite the work that still needs to be done, Del Duca announced that the new station will open on Thursday for public train trips, with two trips from Hamilton to Toronto for the morning, and tqo more heading back at night.
It's going to look different in a couple of days so let's not take this view into consideration.- Mayor Fred Eisenberger
"We've always committed to opening the station in time for the Games, and we're delivering on that commitment," Del Duca said after arriving in Hamilton. "The West Harbour GO Station will play a crucial role in supporting the Pan Am Games. There will be more Lake Shore West train services to and from West Harbour."
People who are heading down to West Harbour may want to watch their step, warned MPP Paul Miller. The Hamilton East—Stoney Creek New Democrat called the station a "rush job," evident by the uneven stonework recently installed for the minister's photo opportunity.
"It's uneven, it's been rushed, a lot of this wasn't here yesterday," Miller said. "I've almost tripped three times over the uneven stones. At least do it right because it's going to be here for a lot of years after the Pan Am Games are done.
"From what little I've seen here I don't think it's quality work, that's for sure."
July 9 marks the first day of trains leaving Hamilton for Union in the morning, at 6:16 a.m. and 6:46 a.m., and headed back at night, leaving Toronto at 4:47 and 5:23 p.m. More trains will leave to get GTA commuters to Hamilton for soccer games. The last train that arrives at West Harbour to catch the 5 p.m. game on Saturday, July 11, for example, leaves Union at 2:58 p.m., arrives in Hamilton at 4:20 p.m. to catch a shuttle across town to the soccer stadium.
In the meantime, trains will run this week in test mode, leading up to Pan Am's opening ceremonies on Friday in Toronto and the first soccer game in Hamilton the next day.
Del Duca did not directly address that the station is still very much an active construction site when asked what impression that would leave on visitors coming to Hamilton for the Games.
"I think what's most essential for the people of this community is that coming this Thursday they're going to be able to walk from their beautiful neighbourhood… They're going to be able to travel from this part of Hamilton to other parts of the GTHA (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area)," Del Duca said.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger also said the station will look much different by the end of the week.
"It's going to look different in a couple of days so let's not take this view into consideration," Eisenberger said. "Ultimately the station isn't finished, finished, finished… I'm looking forward to the functional use of this facility, that's a step in the right direction. I think this area will look spectacular once they're done."