Friday, February 21, 2020 7 Brooklin Town Crier Durham Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer John Henry announced last week that the GO East expansion will be moving ahead. "Metrolinx has confirmed a route north of Highway 40," he said, "that will provide rail service from Union Station (in Toronto) to Thornton's Corners, a central station in downtown Oshawa, and GO stations in both Courtice and Bowmanville. "It will help to deliver economic revitalization of our downtown areas," he added, "and will transform and connect communities; increase transit ridership; stimulate job creation and mixed-use development around the stations; and drive an increase in land value within the rail corridor. "With our community expected to reach 960,000 residents and 350,000 jobs by 2031, this announcement ensures that Durham Region will have strong rail options that complement our existing transportation network." Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell said, "I am pleased to see support for Option 2. This will maximize the overall economic benefit to the Region - now and in the future - and provide improved access for GO riders." GO East Extension To Keep Durham On Track Image from public presentation by Metrolinx to Durham Region Council on Sept. 6, 2017.