Over 200km of Toronto-area transit including two entire lines closing for weekend

Transit closures this weekend will include two entire transit lines and a large portion of a third line, combining for over 200 kilometres of closed track.

The FIFA World Cup festivities brought a temporary pause to frequent transit closures on GO, the UP Express, and the TTC. However, with the final match now in the books and FIFA tourists all departed, it's back to the same old headaches locals are all too familiar with.

Metrolinx plans to replace service on the UP Express, Barrie Line, and a large portion of the Kitchener Line for the duration of the coming weekend, July 25-26, 2026. Service will also be adjusted along GO's busiest route, the Lakeshore West Line, adding to what is already shaping up to be a messy weekend for commuters.

Here's everything you need to know if you're commuting around the Greater Toronto Area this weekend.

GO Barrie Line

The entire Barrie Line will be out of service on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, due to planned construction taking place along the route's full length between Allandale Waterfront GO and Union Station. 

GO buses will replace trains between Allandale Waterfront and Rutherford GO, then run direct between Rutherford GO and Highway 407 Bus Terminal, where commuters can continue their trips into the city centre via the TTC's Line 1.

Metrolinx

GO Kitchener Line

Construction along the Kitchener Line on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 will force a partial closure between Stratford or Kitchener (depending on route schedules) and Mount Pleasant GO stations.  

Trains will run hourly on a portion of the line between Mount Pleasant and Mount Dennis GO stations, though there will be no GO transit service between Mount Dennis and Union Station, with commuters instead expected to rely on local TTC routes. 

Select GO buses will make trips from Stratford and Kitchener GO to the TTC's Hwy 407 Bus Terminal.

Metrolinx

UP Express

The entire 23.3-kilometre run of the UP Express will be shut down on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 due to planned construction taking place along the route. 

Passengers will instead be able to board GO replacement buses between Union Station Bus Terminal and Pearson Airport Terminal 1 for the full day on Saturday, July 25.

Things will be a bit different on Sunday, July 26, when passengers can connect between Pearson and Union from approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., before full route coverage pauses to accommodate a planned Gardiner Expressway closure for the Toronto Triathlon. 

After 2 p.m. on Sunday, GO replacement buses will travel directly between Union and Pearson.

Metrolinx

GO Lakeshore West Line

While GO Transit's busiest line will remain operational throughout the weekend of July 25-26, planned construction along the route will require a downgrade in service, with trains to run at 30-minute intervals.

Metrolinx

It's shaping up to be a hectic weekend for commuters, so make sure to plan ahead!