Major construction at Long Branch GO Station causes commuter confusion

After stepping off the train onto the platform at Long Branch GO station, commuters are greeted with the sight of major construction. The platforms are ripped up and barricaded off, plastered with signs explaining the disruptions affecting the station.

After work started in December 2023, half of Long Branch GO station’s platforms are currently under construction for improvements to the station, including the addition of new pedestrian tunnels, more heated shelters, and track work that is compatible with the future electrification of GO trains.

This has caused confusion and frustration for many commuters, and people living in the area. Metrolinx, the agency responsible for transit in the GTA, states on their website that not all train cars will open upon arrival in Long Branch, and that customers have the option to move to cars that will open their doors or travel to the next station stop.

Sophie Cherubin, a third-year student at the University of Toronto, often commutes from Union Station to Long Branch to visit her partner. Since the beginning of the construction, she has had to adjust which station she gets off at to avoid confusion.

“I’ve started getting off in Mimico instead after missing the stop one too many times. Not all of the doors of the train open and it can be really confusing,” Cherubin said. “It sucks having to take the extra time to walk to the streetcar to get to my destination, but it’s worth it to not have to miss my stop again because I got on the wrong car.”

Though Metrolinx says these new amenities will benefit customers, the current construction and interruptions to regular service has some commuters stressed. Metrolinx warns customers travelling to and from Long Branch GO about the current changes, such as limitations to parking, reduction of pedestrian walkways, and the closure of most of the platforms.

Many residents have expressed their concerns about the state of the Long Branch GO station and the surrounding area. Residents have made comments about the state of the construction affecting the neighbourhood, particularly the area around Edgeware Drive. Metrolinx recently held an online forum where residents were able to voice their concerns and questions regarding the ongoing Long Branch GO construction.

“After construction, Edgeware Drive will be restored back to its original condition or better. For every tree we remove, we replace three. Due to the spacing requirement of a minimum of 6m per tree, this area is estimated to accommodate 30 planting with species native to the area that include: sugar maple, basswood, red oak and bur oak trees,” said a representative from Metrolinx on an online forum. This was in response to an anonymous community member’s concern about the construction affecting natural environment surrounding Edgeware Drive.

Construction fencing blocking off the walkway to Edgeware Drive

These changes to the Long Branch station are part of the larger Lakeshore West line expansion, which aims to provide more frequent and efficient GO service. The expansion will also provide commuters with all day two-way service between Union Station and Hamilton.

Hope Adams, a postgraduate student at Humber College, says that more frequent service would alleviate a lot of stress from her daily commute.

“The GO trains come only once every thirty minutes, so if I miss it I risk missing my class unless I leave super early. Having more frequent trains would help so much, since I wouldn’t have to stress if I miss my train or if the train is delayed,” Adams says.

Metrolinx estimates a completion date of the current Long Branch construction in June 2027.