DURHAM - A Metrolinx recommendation on which route to use for the Bowmanville GO train expansion is expected soon.

"The business case for the Bowmanville GO expansion is nearing completion. Our government is committed to delivering more rail service, beyond Oshawa, as quickly as possible," Durham MPP Lindsey Park said in an end-of-year update.

Once this business case is finished, the preferred route option will go through a preliminary design business case. Then that report will be submitted to the provincial government for approval.

"That (preliminary design) business case is put forward as part of the recommendation to the treasury board," said Park.

Metrolinx is completing the technical work for the business case to compare one of four route options for bringing the GO train east through Oshawa into Courtice and Bowmanville.

The previously-selected route is one of the options. It runs north of Highway 401, which would bring the train through downtown Oshawa, Courtice and into central Bowmanville.

That would put the station about 45 minutes south of downtown Peterborough's GO bus stop.

The original approved budget for capital construction of the GO expansion was $550 million (using 2014 dollars). By May 2019 the cost estimate was reported as at least $721 million. Soon the nearly-completed review will update the expected price for each route option, explained Park.

"Metrolinx decided to do an evaluation for best value for taxpayer dollars," said Park.

Now Metrolinx and the Province are considering several options, including keeping south of Highway 401 to build a Bowmanville train station near the St. Marys Cement Plant.

The southern route is less expensive, but that doesn't consider the potential value of transit-oriented development around the central stations, Durham director of planning Gary Muller told Clarington council on Dec. 9.

At a Clarington council meeting, Durham regional chair John Henry said reconsideration of the route of the extension was disruptive. The region has been championing the rail route north of Highway 401, which has the potential to create 21,000 jobs and 7.8 million square feet of commercial space in Durham. Henry added it seems Metrolinx is now considering the importance of transit-oriented development.

"A route south of (Highway) 401 simply does not compare in terms of job creation, campus connectivity, downtown revitalization or walkable stations" said Henry. "So it's positive that Metrolinx is once again focused on CP rail corridor . We must continue to reinforce to the Province the critical importance of the northern route for Durham."

A Metrolinx spokesperson said via email that there's no update or new reports available at this time.

Park explained Metrolinx is working closely with the municipalities and freight rail partners to select a preferred route.

"No (route) decision has been made yet," said Park.

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Park said her top priorities are a route that respects taxpayer dollars, brings all-day service to Bowmanville and brings the train to Bowmanville in a timely manner.

"I hope that will all play into evaluating which option results in the best value for taxpayer dollars," said Park.

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