Canada Plans to Develop a High-Speed Intercity Rail Network Capable of Reaching 185 mph

Canada is set to launch its largest infrastructure project ever: a high-speed intercity rail network spanning 621 miles (1,000 km). The system will connect Toronto and Montréal—Canada’s two largest cities—in just three hours, cutting travel time in half. The route will extend from Toronto to Quebec City, with stops in Peterborough, Ottawa, Laval, and Trois-Rivières.

Named Alto, the rail service will feature fully electric trains reaching speeds of up to 185 mph (300 km/h) on dedicated electrified tracks. According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office, this initiative aims to address issues of infrequent service and delays caused by reliance on freight-owned tracks in the current rail system.

The new high-speed rail network will serve 18 million people—nearly half of Canada’s population—along the Toronto-Quebec City corridor. It is projected to carry 13 times more passengers annually than the existing service.

Alto and Cadence to Lead Co-Development Phase of High-Speed Rail Project

Transport Minister Anita Anand stated that this announcement marks the transition from phase one to phase two, known as the co-development phase. During this stage, Alto—a state-owned Crown corporation sharing its name with the rail service—will collaborate with the transport infrastructure consortium Cadence to design tracks, determine station locations, address regulatory requirements, and engage in consultations with Indigenous communities.

This phase is expected to take around five to six years, with construction beginning only after its completion—meaning passengers will have to wait quite a while for their high-speed ride.

The co-development phase alone will cost approximately CA$3.9 billion (US$2.7 billion) over six years, in addition to the CA$372 million (US$261 million) allocated in last year’s budget.

Political Uncertainty Poses Challenges for Canada’s High-Speed Rail Project

While Canada appears to be making steady progress, the project’s future remains uncertain. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January under pressure from his Liberal Party, will stay on until a new leader is selected. With federal elections scheduled later this year, a change in leadership could impact whether the next government continues to support the rail initiative.

If successful, Canada will join countries like China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Italy, and the UK in operating high-speed rail. Japan pioneered the technology in 1964, while China now boasts the world’s largest network, spanning 27,960 miles (45,000 km).

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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