Ottawa–Montreal high-speed rail segment picked for Alto HSR

Last week, the Ottawa–Montreal high-speed rail segment was confirmed by Transport Canada as the first piece of the proposed Alto High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridor.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

In February, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will support a 621-mile electrified high-speed rail corridor between Toronto and Quebec City. If fully developed, the service is expected to cut VIA Rail Canada Inc. passenger-rail travel times in half to about three hours.

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Alto is the contracting authority leading development, implementation, and oversight of the corridor on behalf of the Canadian government, and “Alto” is also the name and branding planned for the future rail system. Cadence has been selected as the project’s design, build, financing, operation, and management partner, as noted by Railway Gazette International.

Timeline for the Ottawa–Montreal high-speed rail segment

A Transport Canada press release said construction on the 124-mile Ottawa–Montreal Alto segment is slated to begin in 2029. The pre-procurement process is set to start in 2026, as previously covered by Railway Supply.

Consultation and route planning

Next month, Alto officials will begin a three-month consultation process, giving Canadians a chance to share feedback on the proposed high-speed rail segment. Transport Canada said those comments will help determine the preferred track alignment and station locations.

Engagement with communities and institutions

In addition, Alto officials are communicating with Indigenous communities, municipalities, and public institutions on the design, environmental studies, construction, and long-term operation of the system.

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