VIA invests $25M in London station upgrades
VIA Rail has announced it will spend more than $25 million on upgrades to its station in London.
The carrier says that, once completed in 2025, the renovations will make the station more comfortable, more accessible and more efficient. The station upgrades will also create new opportunities for local businesses.
London’s station is one of the busiest in VIA Rail’s network.
“At VIA Rail, we are continuing to transform the way Canadians travel from reservation to destination, and this includes our stations,” said Rita Toporowski, VIA Rail’s Chief Customer Officer. “The investments in this station will allow us to enhance the customer experience in London, and also demonstrate the commitment of VIA Rail to continue being a key member of the London community."
The nature of the upgrades varies from necessary civil, structural, mechanical and electrical work to retrofitting and rehabilitating core building systems and services. The work is planned in four phases. Civil and structural upgrades and refurbishment of the building envelope are already complete. The contract for the passenger platform replacement is scheduled to be awarded this summer, while the contract for the interior and base building services refurbishments should be awarded this fall.
“The modernization of the VIA station will provide significant benefit to London and region,” said Mayor Josh Morgan. “As the local demand for passenger rail service continues to grow, the improvements announced today will help make passenger train travel to and from London a desirable alternative for thousands of people in the London region.”
The new platforms will meet the latest accessibility standards and new doors and paths giving full accessibility access into the building have already been upgraded.