Construction Begins on Northlander’s Timmins-Porcupine Station
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of ontarionorthland.ca
TIMMINS, Ontario - The Government of Ontario awarded a contract to EllisDon for the construction of Timmins-Porcupine Station.
This would be a milestone in bringing Northlander passenger rail service back between Timmins and Toronto, according to the release. As of reporting, early work has begun on the platform and passenger area. The completed station will have “accessible washrooms, varied seating, and a ticket counter.” Additionally, there will be an accessible platform, parking, pathways for pedestrians, and a designated pick-up and drop-off area. Crews are working along the track to adjust curves so trains can operate at higher speeds. The release states that once reinstated, the Northlander will provide service headed southbound from Timmins and northbound from Toronto up to seven days a week.
Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria said, “Our government is getting shovels in the ground on this critical station, delivering on our promise to bring back the Northlander and better connect northern communities to jobs, health care and opportunity. . . It’s all part of our plan to protect Ontario int he face of unprecedented U.S. tariffs. We’re supporting northern industries and the resource sector, unlocking economic growth and investing in infrastructure that builds a stronger, more resilient future for Ontario.”
CEO at Ontario Northland Chad Evans stated, “The Northlander will fundamentally shift how people move across the province, creating more connections to the province’s integrated transportation network. . . The Northlander will provide improved access to essential services, such as health care and education, while supporting economic prosperity and tourism in the region, strengthening the connection between the north and the south.”
