Cambridge city council will receive an information report May 11 about the viability of GO Train service between Cambridge and Toronto that has seen the service deviate from the original plan of going through Milton.

Once considered the connectivity point to Union Station in Toronto, the GO Train Feasibility Study has now pivoted from Milton to possibly providing rail service through Canadian National (CN) Railway in the Fergus subdivision and Guelph's Central Station.

At Phase 2 of the study, the report states “the proposed Cambridge-to-Toronto passenger rail service via Guelph along the Fergus subdivision has a strong potential to provide overall net benefits while achieving a major transportation connection.”

A service and design implementation road map was developed as part of the study, showing the GO Train running from the Pinebush Road LRT station to the subdivsion, where it follows the Kitchener GO Train line in Guelph. The Cambridge to Guelph connection, is 21 kilometres and, according to the report, would be less than 20 minutes travel one way.

Some of the benefits of GO Train service from Cambridge to Toronto listed in the report are improving economic growth and investment in Cambridge, including in the Stage 2 LRT network, potential land intensification on the rail line and providing relief on Highway 401.

The next step in the project is the completion of the Metrolinx Initial Business Case. This includes working with various stakeholders to complete a high-level conceptual track and station design to better understand the physical requirements needed along the rail line and at the proposed stations. This timeline hasn’t been determined.

“The Fergus subdivision is a practical and beneficial way to provide this service and provides a strong foundation to help shape the future of Cambridge,” the report states.

“It should be noted that this conclusion assumes that reasonable progress is achieved by Metrolinx on Kitchener GO rail mainline.”