-With files from Richard Coffin and Brad Aubin
The Ford government is nearing completion on over $100 million worth of rail infrastructure, supporting the return of Northlander passenger rail service.
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation says work includes joint elimination, curve adjustments, rail crossing improvements and more will all deliver a smoother ride and reduce travel times.
He adds they’re getting closer to launching the service.
“We’re looking towards hopefully end of spring, early summer for the start for the project,” says Sarkaria. “We’re making great progress. We received the trainsets a couple of weeks ago.”
He adds testing of the trainsets will be taking place soon across the 740 km Northlander route.
Other work includes the addition of warning systems, updating signage and adding gates at existing crossings.
There are also station renovations, including in North Bay.
“The renovations that will happen here will be net new dollars,” says Sarkaria. “The renovations across some of the other stations will be net new and as we continue to build out the tracks those are all net new expenditures that will happen.”
Renovations are also happening at the Cochrane and Englehart stations, which officials say will modernize and improve accessibility.
“The return of the Northlander marks an important milestone in our government’s plan to deliver new economic opportunities and safe transportation to northern Ontario families,” says Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP. “With work underway to enhance the rail corridor and modernize the North Bay Station, we are one step closer to restoring this Ontario staple and helping connect the people of this province.”
The service will travel from Toronto and Timmins, with a rail connection in Cochrane, for a total of 16 stops.
