The federal government is set to announce a new high frequency rail corridor to improve the connection between some of Ontario and Quebec’s major cities.
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a video posted to social media Monday the government will be launching the procurement process to build a dedicated line connecting Quebec City to Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
The new trains are expected to “transform” the corridor between the cities with trains hitting speeds of up to 200 kilometres an hour.
Alghabra is expected to make a further announcement Tuesday in Trois-Rivières, Que.
All aboard! Today, I’m headed from Toronto to Quebec City on @VIA_Rail for a major announcement tomorrow. Join me for this ride and to learn more about Canada’s High Frequency Rail (HFR) project. pic.twitter.com/ASSpDSfmOh
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) July 5, 2021
Former transport minister Marc Garneau previously announced a commitment of over $71 million on the part of the government in 2019 for the new rail.
Via Rail says the project aims to separate passenger and freight rail operations and create more capacity for people and goods.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2021.
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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
The Canadian Press