NORTH BAY, ONT. — The Ontario government has announced it is nearing completion of more than $100 million worth of investments in rail infrastructure to support the return of Northlander passenger rail service to northeastern Ontario.
Work that was carried out along the corridor included joint elimination, curve adjustments and improvements at rail crossings.
The Northlander will span 740 kilometres between Toronto and Timmins, with a rail connection to Cochrane, for a total of 16 stops.
Additional work along the corridor, which includes adding warning systems, updating signs at rail crossings and adding gates to existing crossings, will continue.
The Ontario government has also awarded a contract for renovations at North Bay Station, which will serve the Northlander, as well as Ontario Northland’s motor coach and Bus Parcel Express services.
Construction is underway to modernize the station with new digital screens, seating and service counters as well as washroom and lighting enhancements.
Similar work is underway at the Cochrane and Englehart stations. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring.
This news comes after the province recently marked several other milestones, including completing construction of the North Bay Rail Bypass, getting shovels in the ground at the Timmins-Porcupine Station, reconstructing platforms and installing shelters along the Northlander corridor, along with marking the arrival of the first of three Northlander trainsets.
