01-18-2026, 11:55 AM
Couple updates here since the last discussion:
They plan to build in phases, starting with Ottawa-Montreal as a central section that will open first, then extending to Toronto and Quebec City later.
The route and specific station locations is still under discussion.
Montreal is the trickiest station to locate as they likely need to build a tunnel across much of the island, likely starting in Laval to pass under the river, then continue under the mountain into the city centre. It will be almost certainly a terminal station, and through trains will reverse out.
There's talk of reactivating Ottawa's old union station; it's right downtown, and will be vacant soon when the Senate chamber moves back to Parliament Hill. However, it would only be usable in a terminal fashion like Montreal, and the approach tracks have been gone for half a century and engineering new ones would be very laborious. It's most likely the existing Via station will be expanded; there is copious room to the south of the current platforms for new ones.
The route between Peterborough and Ottawa has two main options: a more direct one to the north by the likes of Madoc and Perth, but this is more remote and will be challenging to both construct and maintain; or a southerly dip passing north of Kingston and Belleville, which would make the route longer but be much more accessible for construction and maintenance.
The Toronto station is planned to be as close to downtown as possible; they give Union as a possibility but if that is too challenging other locations to the east or west are floated.
Consultation materials are here: https://en.consultation.altotrain.ca/sha...speed-rail
They plan to build in phases, starting with Ottawa-Montreal as a central section that will open first, then extending to Toronto and Quebec City later.
The route and specific station locations is still under discussion.
Montreal is the trickiest station to locate as they likely need to build a tunnel across much of the island, likely starting in Laval to pass under the river, then continue under the mountain into the city centre. It will be almost certainly a terminal station, and through trains will reverse out.
There's talk of reactivating Ottawa's old union station; it's right downtown, and will be vacant soon when the Senate chamber moves back to Parliament Hill. However, it would only be usable in a terminal fashion like Montreal, and the approach tracks have been gone for half a century and engineering new ones would be very laborious. It's most likely the existing Via station will be expanded; there is copious room to the south of the current platforms for new ones.
The route between Peterborough and Ottawa has two main options: a more direct one to the north by the likes of Madoc and Perth, but this is more remote and will be challenging to both construct and maintain; or a southerly dip passing north of Kingston and Belleville, which would make the route longer but be much more accessible for construction and maintenance.
The Toronto station is planned to be as close to downtown as possible; they give Union as a possibility but if that is too challenging other locations to the east or west are floated.
Consultation materials are here: https://en.consultation.altotrain.ca/sha...speed-rail