The line is double tracked and was constructed west of James Street North with the platform running under the Bay Street and MacNab Street bridges. Construction is estimated to cost $3 million and phase one was completed on July 9, 2015, in time for the 2015 Pan American Games. Construction of phase two was proposed to begin in August 2015 after the games are over. Details were revealed May 31, 2013 by Ontario's Minister of Transportation. Metrolinx announced on February 28, 2014 that Kenaidan Contracting of Mississauga had been awarded a $44-million contract to build the station. Work has already begun in clearing the site and the existing railway bed will be lowered so that double-decker trains can pass under bridges and a terraced retaining wall will be built along the steeply sloping south side of the site. Construction of the new station and multi-storey car park structure was expected to start in April 2014.
History
The neighbouring Hamilton Canadian National Railway Station, on the east side of James Street North at Murray Street, was built between 1929 and 1931. The property is a National Historic Site and has been designated under the Federal Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act and under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act by City of Hamilton By-law 95-115. Portions of the building were protected by the Ontario Heritage Trustin 1999. In 1967, GO Transit took over CN's commuter service between Toronto and Hamilton, and in 1978 all other CN passenger service was transferred to Via Rail. In 1992 Via Rail closed its Burlington, Hamilton and Dundas stations and consolidated service at the new Aldershot GO Station. GO Transit closed the James Street station in 1993 and moved remaining service to the Hamilton GO Centre, one and a half kilometres directly south on James Street. The Laborers' International Union of North America bought and renovated the station, and in 2000 the station was reopened as LIUNA Station, an events centre with catering facilities for weddings, dances, and other special events.
Service
, West Harbour GO Station is served by four round trips per weekday, all Toronto-bound during the morning and returning during the afternoon. One of the trips operates between Niagara Falls and Toronto, while the others operate only between West Harbour and Toronto. The summer weekend GO train service between Niagara Falls and Toronto passes by West Harbour station without stopping. The station is also served by Hamilton Street Railway bus routes 4 Waterfront and 20 A-Line Express on James Street North.
