The show much GO on

When it comes to large transit projects in Ontario, commuters can never really be completely satisfied until they see the finished product with their own eyes.

More than a decade ago, the province announced rail service would be expanding east through Oshawa into Clarington.

As of today, not a single set of tracks has been laid for the project.

Back in 2016, the Kathleen Wynne-led Liberal government made a number of much ballyhooed announcements, giving Durham residents and politicians high hopes the project would be completed by 2024.

Timelines were given to both Oshawa and regional council, and a map with the four proposed stations was released.

Only a few weeks ago, those hopes were deflated when Metrolinx officials stated they are now looking at four different options for the expansion, without providing a specific timeline.

Those options are being laid out for the public at meetings in Oshawa and Bowmanville this week, but it seems like a bit of déjà vu for a project that has been kicking around for 10 years.

The reasoning for the about face is clear from the Ford government.

The Liberal plan announced in 2016 would not be completed on time, and there are claims it would cost twice as much as first estimated.

It should be noted costs for the expansion were never publicly released, at least not to this newspaper after many requests.

So the project is now back to the drawing board, and if the Liberal plan wasn’t going to work, then that is just the way it has to be.

It’s not something that residents in Oshawa and Clarington want to hear, but as much as this expansion is needed, it must be done in a way that is responsible to all taxpayers in Ontario, not just us here.

But Metrolinx and the Ford government must be aware that people in Durham Region are quickly becoming tired of delays, especially when other transit projects in the province seem to be getting concrete timelines and dedicated funding.