Canada commits funds to VIA Rail’s Ottawa-Montreal corridor infrastructure improvements

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Via Rail

The Canadian government plans to invest CA$102 million (US$77 million) over a two-year period to support several infrastructure projects that will increase the safety and efficiency of VIA Rail Canada's Ottawa-Montreal rail corridor for travelers.

 

These projects aim to increase the reliability of the service by reducing delays for users while improving the safety and accessibility of VIA Rail’s Ottawa-Montreal corridor service.

“The government of Canada is pleased to provide VIA Rail with funding to improve its Ottawa-Montreal rail corridor infrastructure. This investment will keep our rail transportation system safe and efficient for VIA’s Rail customers,” stated Canada’s Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt
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The funding is part of CA$5.8 billion (US$4.3 billion) in infrastructure spending announced by Prime Minister Joseph Harper in November 2014. The investment will be made over two fiscal years (2015-16 and 2016-17). Projects to be funded include upgrading tracks and bridges between Montreal and the Ottawa area; building new track siding and making changes to the turnout to allow more fluid movement of trains in the Barrhaven area and upgrading signal systems to improve reliability, efficiency and safety of operations, among other improvements listed here.

“Thanks to this new funding, VIA Rail will be able to provide a safer, more reliable and comfortable service between Ottawa and Montreal through upgraded infrastructure and enhanced facilities at our Ottawa station. In addition, we are pleased to be able to add four frequencies between the two cities in 2017 as a result of the government of Canada’s investment,” explained Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, president and chief executive officer of VIA Rail.

 

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