High-speed rail link to boost economy and cut travel time in Canada

A high-speed rail link from Toronto to Quebec City could transform regional travel. The project promises faster journeys, economic benefits, and lower emissions, improving infrastructure efficiency. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Economic benefits of the high-speed rail link

The C.D. Howe Institute estimates the project’s total economic value at $15 billion to $27 billion. Analysts forecast these benefits will accumulate over 60 years, enhancing regional prosperity.

“If I can travel from Toronto to Montreal in three hours, I gain two extra hours,” says co-author Tasnim Fariha. This saved time can be converted into monetary gains, increasing economic efficiency.

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Canada faces a “productivity crisis,” making efficient transportation critical for growth and competitiveness. The proposed rail system will also cut emissions, ease congestion, and improve regional connectivity.

A dedicated passenger rail network with dependable service could deliver intangible benefits. “Not only do I save time, but my stress levels also decrease,” Fariha explains, emphasizing improved quality of life.

Government investment in the high-speed rail link

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled the next phase of the project on Wednesday. The high-speed network will operate trains at 300 km/h, far exceeding the initial “high-frequency” model.

The federal government pledged $3.9 billion over six years for planning and design. Officials state the rail system will cover approximately 1,000 kilometers, connecting major cities across the corridor.

Stations are planned for Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Quebec City. Authorities aim to finalize route specifics, including station locations, before the project’s 2031 target.

Named “Alto,” the rail service will cut Toronto-to-Montreal travel time to three hours. The government is working on finalizing logistics to ensure the system operates efficiently and sustainably.

Via Rail, managing project oversight, estimates the total cost between $60 billion and $90 billion. However, annual benefits could reach $24.4 billion, vastly exceeding C.D. Howe’s $450 million forecast.

Fariha clarifies that differing methodologies influence benefit estimates, explaining variations between economic models. Her team focused on key economic factors rather than conducting a full cost-benefit analysis.

The 31-page report, published Friday, evaluates both high-speed and high-frequency rail options. It concludes that the latter would provide lower economic benefits, ranging from $11 billion to $17 billion.

On Wednesday, the government selected Cadence, a consortium of major companies, to develop the rail system. Cadence partners include CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, Air Canada, Keolis, Systra, and SNCF Voyageurs.

Quebec’s pension fund subsidiary, CDPQ Infra, is also leading Montreal’s REM light-rail project. The partnership brings experience in large-scale rail infrastructure development, ensuring efficiency and reliability.

High-speed rail proposals in Canada date back to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s administration. However, previous efforts failed, often surfacing before elections but never reaching completion.

Over two dozen studies, market analyses, and reports have examined high-speed rail since 1984. The High-Speed Rail Canada platform documents these attempts, reflecting decades of unfulfilled proposals.

Source: toronto.citynews.ca

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