VIDEO: Railway tracks ‘magically’ move along Oakville/Burlington border

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Published July 4, 2024 at 9:01 am

Burloak overpass Burlington Oakville GO transit train
An artist's rendering showing what the new train bridge will look like at Burloak Drive. (Metrolinx image)

Roadwork along Burloack Drive has been disruptive for motorists in both Burlington and Oakville, but a new video shows what has been accomplished.

Metrolinx, the operator of GO Transit, has released the time-lapse video shot over several days that shows how the train tracks have been moved to accommodate the future reconstruction of the road.

“Your eyes aren’t tricking you if you’ve travelled on the Lakeshore West line or by car across this level crossing on Burloak Drive lately,” Metrolinx stated on X (formerly Twitter) in describing the relocation of the tracks.  “It looks like they have magically moved!”

The recent work on the road that separates Burlington and Oakville foreshadows the year-long closure of Burloak that will begin later this year when the major portion of the reconstruction will take place.

The major undertaking will eventually see the creation of a train overpass on Burloak along the Lakeshore West GO Line

When complete, the overpass project is expected to ease traffic congestion through the area by eliminating the ground-level train crossing.

The project will also allow the expansion of Burloak to six lanes and create improvements to nearby routes such as Wyecroft, Harvester, Superior and Prince William. The addition of turn lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes and improved connectivity for active modes of travel will also be included in this project.

Upgrades to the pedestrian bridge on Drury Lane will also eventually be carried out.

Metrolinx says the project will also provide the opportunity to electrify the train lines, allowing for more frequent train service.

The $177 million project is being led by Metrolinx, with Oakville and Burlington each supplying $16 million.

The major work is expected to start later this summer and be completed in 2026. When the major work is carried out Burloak will be closed for more than a year.

 

 

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