Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has awarded three contracts to design and manufacture new station shelters, enhance rail safety and complete warning system upgrades in preparation for reinstating train service between Timmins and Toronto.
Contracts went to:
- Enseicom Inc. has been awarded the contract to design and manufacture nine new station shelters
- Remcan Ltd. has been awarded the contract for track improvements to enhance rail safety, decrease maintenance and reduce derailment risks
- X-Rail has been awarded the contract to complete warning system upgrades along the Northlander corridor north of North Bay
“People and businesses in northern and central Ontario deserve the same access to safe and reliable transportation as the rest of the province,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, associate minister of transportation. “Reinstating the Northlander will not only support our northern industries and resource sectors, but it will also pave the way for a more integrated transportation network that connects communities from the north to the south.”
Over the next two years, new station shelters equipped with seating, lighting and heating will be installed in Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores, Temagami, South River, Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Washago.
Construction of station platforms, parking areas and pathways will begin this summer, along with track improvements to enhance rail safety, reduce derailment risks and decrease train maintenance.
Once reinstated, the Northlander passenger rail service will operate four to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands.
“This investment marks further progress on the reinstatement of the Northlander train service,” said Chad Evans, chief executive officer for Ontario Northland. “The shelters will be safe, comfortable and accessible, providing a consistent, modern passenger experience for customers boarding and exiting the train all along the route.
“We are excited to see this work progress during this construction season and next.”
In December 2022, Ontario announced the purchase of three new trainsets as part of its plan to reinstate the Northlander.
“For far too long, previous governments ignored the transportation needs of people in Timmins and across northern Ontario,” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins. “The reinstatement of the Northlander is a huge win for the people of northern Ontario and industries like mining that rely on workers to travel to our region.
“I am proud to be part of a government that listens to the needs of northerners and takes decisive action to ensure that everyone can get where they need to go.”
