WATERLOO REGION - Local officials say the main obstacle preventing better GO Train service between Waterloo Region and Toronto has been overcome with an agreement in principle between Crown corporation Metrolinx and CN Rail.

"The rail corridor was the single biggest stumbling block that was preventing meaningful rail solutions between Toronto and Waterloo Region becoming a reality," said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. "The fact that the province was able to get CN to the table and come up with a solution that allows that to happen is really opening the door to move forward."

At a Metrolinx board meeting Friday, members received an update on express rail and some initial details of the plan.

The goal is to build a new 30-kilometre freight corridor between Brampton and Milton.

According to the Metrolinx report, most of the CN freight traffic would be shifted from the existing CN corridor to a new line.

That would address freight congestion on the existing corridor allowing expansion through Brampton and eventually leading to two-way, all-day service to Kitchener.

In September, GO Train service between Kitchener and Toronto was increased, doubling to four morning trains and four afternoon trains.

The current plan is for the two-way, all-day service to be in place in 2024. It was announced in 2014.

Regional chair Ken Seiling said that's realistic, considering the studies and money required to make it happen.

"There's a lot of work to be done. . When they talk about the 10-year horizon, I'm guessing it's probably a realistic number," he said.

The initial concept for the freight corridor plan includes two mainline tracks to start and up to six total in the long term. Eventually, electrification for possible future passenger service is also contemplated.

Still to be studied are potential route alignments, technical feasibility, community impacts, costs, environmental impacts, regulatory requirements and more, according to the Metrolinx report.

Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the agreement in principle with CN Rail earlier this year.

Politicians have lobbied extensively for improved GO service, largely for economic development reasons. They say improved commutes along the Toronto-Waterloo Region corridor are important for businesses.

"They're all calling on it and calling for something as soon as possible to start flowing from Toronto into the region," Vrbanovic said.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Seiling said the business community lobbied alongside politicians to improve GO Train service.

"Certainly the private sector is speaking out loudly," he said.