Mayor gets green light from GO

Ten new acres of parking on Speers Road will expand Bronte GO Station’s parking by 800 spots, giving a boost to employment and transit, Mayor Rob Burton announced today.

The GO system was able to purchase the land after Mayor Burton persuaded Oakville businessman Bill Cooper Sr. to sell the land instead of build on it.

“It’s the kind of thing where the long range goal of the Town’s future economic development outweighs a short term approach,” Mr. Cooper said.

A pedestrian access tunnel under the rail lines will give GO passengers access to the future Speers Road parking area.

“Mayor Burton has been farsighted in his work on the GO Board of Directors,” Peter Smith, GO’s Board Chair, said.

“This is the kind of land acquisition that leverages GO’s presence in the community.

”The 800 new parking spots will be installed in two phases. By 2010 the first 400 will open, followed by the next 400.

“GO has acted to serve the residents of Oakville as quickly as possible,” Gary McNeil, Managing Director of GO Transit, said. “We know that this new parking will be well received. It’s all part of our move to build for the future and provide more GO services to the public.”