Ontario awards contracts to restore northeastern passenger-rail service

The Ontario government has awarded three contracts to design and manufacture nine new northeastern passenger-rail station shelters, improve track and complete warning system upgrades.

Enseicom Inc. won a contract to design and manufacture the nine station shelters; Remcan Ltd. obtained the contract for track improvements designed to enhance rail safety, decrease maintenance and reduce derailment risks; and X-Rail landed the contract to complete warning system upgrades along Ontario Northland's Northlander corridor north of North Bay.

The contracts will advance a plan to reinstate passenger-rail service between Timmins and Toronto, providing a safe and reliable transportation option for northern and central communities, Ontario officials said in a news release.

Over the next two years, 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.

Work on the station platforms, parking areas, pathways and track improvements will begin in summer. Once reinstated, the Northlander passenger-rail service will operate four to seven days a week based on seasonal travel demands.