Cambridge council has endorsed a business case approved by the Region of Waterloo in August that asks Metrolinx to create a GO Transit passenger rail link between Guelph and Cambridge.
Council's endorsement of the initial business case and concept design study adds a unified voice to support the project and will be followed up with a letter asking Metrolinx to consider including the project in the Regional Transit Plan.
Metrolinx would be expected to undertake further design and engineering to develop a preliminary design business case.
It's expected, if all goes smoothly with approvals, it would take six years to complete the line that would take passengers embarking in Cambridge on a 15-minute ride to Guelph Central Station. From there they would be able to board GO trains on the Kitchener to Union line.
The GO train would be integrated at a planned Pinebush ION LRT station on Hespeler Road south of Eagle Street where the region says it would support the city's Hespeler Road Corridor Draft Secondary Plan.
Ongoing talks with CN Rail are also required to establish a strategy to use the Fergus Subdivision Line, a partially decommissioned rail line that travels from Pinebush Road under Highway 401 through Hespeler.
In the meantime, the region wants Metrolinx to provide GO bus service between Cambridge and Guelph to meet current needs.
Projected costs for the project range between $396 million and $505 million in 2023 dollars depending on the frequency of trains.
Operating and maintenance costs range between $149 million and $273 million in 2023 dollars.
Projected fare revenue ranges between $106 million and $132 million.
The initial business case says the service could increase the region's economic potential to the tune of between $600 million to $760 million.
Other factors favouring the move are reduced congestion on local roads and highways, reduced travel times for commuters and reduced carbon emissions.
Following a presentation from project manager Oriana Aguas that reiterated what was presented to council in May, Coun. Mike Devine said the community is excited to see a much needed passenger rail service come to Cambridge.
Mayor Jan Liggett said she looks forward to seeing the project happen.
