Ontario awards contract for Northlander Timmins-Porcupine train station

The Ontario government has awarded a contract to EllisDon to build the Timmins-Porcupine Station as part of the province’s work to bring back Northlander passenger-rail service between Timmins and Toronto.

Early construction work is underway on the platform, parking area and a passenger waiting area. Once completed, the Timmins-Porcupine Station will include accessible washrooms, varied seating and a ticket counter. Outdoor features will include an accessible platform, motor coach bays, parking, pedestrian pathways, a taxi stand and a designated passenger pickup and drop-off area.

The northern terminal station for the Northlander will support northern industries, the resource sector and tourism, Ontario officials said in a press release. A financial value of the EllisDon contract was not disclosed in the release.

“Our government is getting shovels in the ground on this critical station, delivering on our promise to bring back the Northlander and better connect northern communities to jobs, health care and opportunity,” said Ontario Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria. “It’s all part of our plan to protect Ontario in the face of unprecedented U.S. tariffs. We’re supporting northern industries and the resource sector, unlocking economic growth and investing in infrastructure that builds a stronger, more resilient future for Ontario.”

Work is also underway along the Northlander track to adjust curves to ensure the train runs at higher speeds and with fewer disruptions. Once reinstated, the Northlander will provide southbound service leaving from Timmins and northbound service leaving from Toronto, up to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands. There will be 16 stops in both directions, including a rail connection to Cochrane.

Operated by the province-owned Ontario Northland Railway, the train service was discontinued in 2012 and replaced with buses. The rail-service reboot is slated for next year.