Ontario Allocates USD 72.2M for Northlander Rail; Targets 2026 Service

The Government of Ontario is advancing the restoration of the Northlander passenger rail service with a USD 72.2 million allocation for infrastructure modernization. This funding supports the final investment stages for the corridor connecting Toronto and northeastern Ontario, where services were suspended in 2012. The project is a component of the province’s larger USD 73 billion public transportation and highway development plan.

Work along the 740 km route is focused on safety and operational efficiency to reduce passenger travel times. The initiative includes the installation of new warning systems and upgrading signals at level crossings. Further safety enhancements involve adding barriers to existing crossings across the network. The verification data confirms the USD 72.2 million investment figure and the 2012 service suspension date, aligning with the primary source material.

Station infrastructure is also undergoing significant upgrades. A contract has been awarded for the renovation of North Bay Station, which will feature digital displays, new seating, and modernized service counters, washrooms, and lighting to improve accessibility. Similar modernization projects are underway at stations in Cochrane and Englehart, with construction at these locations scheduled for completion in spring 2024. Work has also commenced on the new Timmins-Porcupine station.

Recent project milestones include the completion of the 1 km North Bay Rail Bypass and the reconstruction of platforms with new shelters along the corridor. Ontario Minister of Transportation, Prabmeet Sarkaria, stated that the project connects communities to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, and that ongoing rail work aims to provide a smoother and more comfortable ride for passengers.

The first of three new trainsets arrived in Toronto on January 26 for a period of testing and commissioning. Following this phase, Ontario Northland will move the train north to conduct testing along the Northlander corridor. This process is to ensure all systems meet specified safety, performance, and operational requirements. The full passenger service is scheduled to commence in 2026.

Siemens Mobility holds the USD 100.7 million contract to supply the rolling stock. The three push-pull trains consist of Charger locomotives and Venture passenger cars, which are being manufactured at the Siemens facility in Sacramento, California.

With the first trainset now undergoing trials and infrastructure work in its final stages, the project is proceeding toward its operational launch. The next phases will involve extensive on-corridor testing of the new equipment and completion of all station and track upgrades.