Major improvements on VIA Rail’s Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto line completed

Major track improvements are now complete on VIA Rail Canada's line between Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, Canada, that will lead to improved and faster passenger service. The project included $55 million (US$54 million) in infrastructure upgrades between Ottawa and Montreal (Coteau) and track and safety improvements on VIA Rail Canada's Ottawa and Brockville route, completing a major part of a more than $300 million (US$295 million) expansion of VIA Rail's key Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto corridor. "I am pleased to see the great progress already made to improve a line that is important to so many travelers between Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto" said Minister of state (transport) Steven Fletcher. "The completed upgrades move us forward, as our government has committed, to providing Canadians with safer, reliable and faster passenger rail service, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth." The track upgrades are part of the government of Canada's $923 million (US$907 million) investment to improve passenger rail services, including $407 million (US$400 million) in stimulus funding. Funding from the Economic Action Plan alone represents some 5,000 jobs (direct and indirect person-years) over the period 2009-2013. Improvements being made as part of the first phase of upgrades include sections of new track, passing sidings to reduce conflicts with freight rail operations and increased traffic control and signaling. "Better track and increased capacity will mean that we can safely operate more trains, and maintain higher speeds more consistently, allowing us to deliver faster trip times and more frequent departure options to travelers," said VIA Rail Chairman Paul Smith. "We are working to meet the growing demand for robust, reliable passenger rail services, while also ensuring train travel meets the highest safety standards as well as being an environmentally green choice for travelers."