Toronto 
Canada has announced plans to develop a high-speed rail network in the Toronto-Quebec City corridor.
Representative Image/Credit: Christian Lue/ Unsplash
The project, named Alto, will cover approximately 1,000 kilometres and feature stops in Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City.
Trains will reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, cutting travel times significantly, with a trip from Montreal to Toronto expected to take three hours.
Credit: Alto
The government has allocated $3.9 billion over six years for the co-development phase, adding to previous investments. The federal government says the project aims to improve transportation efficiency, stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce emissions through electrification.
Travel Time Savings/Credit: Alto
Cadence, a consortium of companies specializing in large-scale transportation infrastructure, has been selected to co-design, finance, build, operate, and maintain the rail network. The group includes CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, Keolis Canada, SYSTRA Canada, Air Canada, and SNCF Voyageurs. Their role involves detailed planning, Indigenous consultations, land acquisition, and environmental assessments before construction begins.
Alto, also a crown corporation (originally called VIA HFR), will operate on dedicated tracks, addressing delays caused by shared freight rail usage.
The project is expected to generate over 51,000 jobs during construction and contribute up to $35 billion annually to the economy. It also aligns with Canada’s climate goals by promoting lower-emission transportation options.
The high-speed rail initiative is the largest infrastructure project in Canada’s history. Federal government emphasizes its potential to improve connectivity, expand business opportunities, and support regional development. The government sees it as part of a broader strategy to enhance public transportation, promote job creation, and increase housing affordability across the region.
A formal agreement between Alto and Cadence will outline the next phase of the project, setting the groundwork for implementation.
Introducing Alto: Canada’s largest infrastructure project ever — connecting nearly 20 million Canadians between Quebec City and Toronto with 300km/hour high-speed rail.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 19, 2025
Request for Proposals for the High-Frequency Rail project was issued in 2023.
The news release does not state the total projected cost or the expected date of completion.
Credit: Alto
As per the Alto website, the development phase is expected to take around five years, with the overall project timeline depending on the completion of the Impact Assessment. Construction can begin after government approval, cost refinement, and regulatory clearances. The website states that a progressive network approach will be used, with Alto developing in phases that together create a vast network. While exact timelines are uncertain, each phase is expected to take 5 to 7 years.
Existing intercity passenger rail services will be maintained, optimized, and integrated into the expanded network to ensure continuity and efficiency in operations.
