Construction Nears Completion on Ontario’s Northlander Rail Line

The Ontario government has announced that construction is almost complete on the Northlander rail line, following over 100 million CAD in investments.

The project supports the return of Northlander passenger rail service to northeastern Ontario later this year.

Construction is underway along the rail corridor and includes joint elimination, curve realignments and upgrades at rail crossings. The work is designed to improve ride quality, increase safety and reduce travel times for passengers.

Further safety improvements along the corridor include the installation of additional warning systems, updated signage at level crossings and new gates at existing crossings.

Once service resumes, the Northlander will operate along a 740-kilometre route between Toronto and Timmins, with a connection to Cochrane. The service will include 16 stops across northern and northeastern Ontario.

Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation said:

Our government is protecting Ontario by bringing back the Northlander and connecting thousands of people in northeastern Ontario to health care, education and economic opportunities. The rail work underway will help reduce travel times and deliver a smoother and more comfortable ride for passengers.

The province has also awarded a contract to renovate North Bay Station, which will serve the Northlander as well as Ontario Northland’s motor coach and Bus Parcel Express services. Work underway includes new digital information screens, seating, service counters, lighting upgrades and washroom improvements aimed at improving accessibility and passenger comfort.

Similar station upgrades are in progress in Cochrane and Englehart, with construction expected to be completed in the spring.

Alan Spacek, Chair of the Board, Ontario Northland said:

This government’s ongoing support of the Northlander has been unwavering. Sustained investment in rail infrastructure is turning momentum into service by modernising the corridor, improving accessibility and safety, and reconnecting northern communities with reliable passenger rail.

Recent milestones related to the Northlander project include completion of the North Bay Rail Bypass, construction at Timmins-Porcupine Station, platform reconstruction and shelter installation along the corridor, and the arrival of the first of three new Northlander trainsets.

The Northlander is intended to support Ontario’s integrated transportation network and the province’s Draft Transportation Plan for the North. Northern Ontario is home to more than 65,000 businesses and contributed over 55.5 billion CAD to Ontario’s GDP in 2024.

Overall, Ontario is investing 70 billion CAD in transit expansion projects across the province.