A fast-tracked railway project connecting Toronto and Quebec City is set to revolutionize travel in Canada, potentially boosting the number of daily trains in the region to 72. With the proposed high-speed rail network covering 1,000 kilometers, passengers could zip from Montreal to Toronto in just three hours.
Internal documents reveal that the Crown corporation overseeing the project, now known as Alto, envisions frequent departures between the two major cities, possibly hourly with even more during peak times. This upgrade would significantly surpass the current service by VIA Rail, which operates about eight trains in each direction.
The ambitious plan, estimated to cost between $60 billion to $90 billion, was formally unveiled by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the largest infrastructure venture in Canadian history. The high-speed trains, expected to reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, aim to revolutionize travel within the country.
While the project is still in the planning stages, the government’s major projects office is expediting work on the railway. Construction on the first segment, connecting Montreal and Ottawa, is slated to commence in 2029.
The move towards high-speed rail represents a shift from previous proposals for a more modest high-frequency network. With potential to attract millions of travelers and transform the way people move between cities, this visionary project could unlock new travel possibilities and reduce reliance on cars and planes.
Keyphrase: high-speed rail project
