The Ontario government has completed the acquisition of 205 kilometres of railway between North Bay and Washago as part of its plan to reinstate the Northlander passenger rail service in Northeastern Ontario.
The purchase represents an investment of 138 million CAD and gives the province control over a continuous section of track in order to improve service reliability and scheduling. The corridor will be used primarily for passenger rail, while also accommodating freight services.
A rendering of the new Northlander trainset
© Ontario Government
Securing the route is expected to reduce delays by allowing more direct control over rail operations. The acquisition also removes the need for freight trains in North Bay to be disassembled and transferred onto other tracks before continuing south, a process that previously added time and complexity.
Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation said:
Today, we’re taking a pivotal step towards bringing back the Northlander and better connecting Northeastern Ontario families and workers to the opportunities and services they rely on. This investment will prioritise passenger service by supporting fast, reliable service along the line.
The province has undertaken additional work linked to the project, including infrastructure upgrades north of North Bay and the construction of the North Bay Rail Bypass. Officials also confirmed the arrival of the first trainset intended for the service.
Once operational, the Northlander is planned to run a 740-kilometre route between Timmins and Toronto, with a connection to Cochrane. The service is expected to include 16 stops along its route.
The newly acquired section accounts for more than a quarter of the full corridor on which the Northlander will operate.
The rail project forms part of a wider provincial transit programme, which includes long-term investments in transport infrastructure across Ontario.