MONTREAL — It will be at least 2041 before Canada’s high speed rail line begins full operation, according to the head of the Crown corporation that will oversee its construction.
The Montreal Gazette reports that Martin Imbleau, CEO of Alto – the new name for what was previously VIA HFR — said Thursday (Feb. 20) that date does not represent a timeline, but a preliminary estimate. He also said the early estimate of the cost of the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City project is Ca$60 billion to $90 billion ($42.3 billion to $63.5 billion). Imbleau also said the system is projected to generate 24 million round trips annual and provide a $24.5-billion economic boost.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the intent to proceed with the project on Wednesday, as well as a six-year, Ca$3.9 billion commitment for planning and design funds [see “Canadian government announces plans …,” Trains News Wire, Feb. 19, 2025].
Imbleau said the plan is to begin operations on a portion of the route by 2037, but it has not yet been decided which cities will be served first.
A post on Alto’s website notes the name is inspired by the word for “higher,” and is fully bilingual and easy to pronounce. The site also includes the table below, showing the projected difference in travel times between current and high speed service.
