The Ontario government awarded EllisDon a contract for the reconstruction and installation of shelters at train stops along the Northlander rail corridor which will bring back safe and reliable passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto. There will be 16 stops in both directions with trains providing southbound service leaving from Timmins and northbound service leaving from Toronto, four to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands.
“The Northlander will not only bring safe and reliable transport back to communities ranging from Muskoka to North Bay to Timmins, it will also help unlock the province’s full economic potential by supporting northern industries and resource sectors and improving access to good-paying jobs and essential services like health care and education,” the Minister of Transport, Prabmeet Sarkaria, said.
The construction contract covers platform reconstruction at stops in North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson and Cochrane. In each location, crews will install raised concrete platforms with improved accessibility, lighting and signage. The contract also includes the installation of pre-manufactured shelters at stops in Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores and Temagami. The government will award a separate contract for the construction of Timmins-Porcupine station.
The province has unveiled the new exterior design of the Northlander, giving communities a first look at the state-of-the-art trains that will soon pave the way for an integrated transportation network that connects communities from the north to the south. The new fully accessible trains will feature built-in wheelchair lifts, mobility aid storage spaces, galley-style food services, Wi-Fi and fully accessible washrooms.
In May 2024, the Government of Ontario awarded three contracts to design and manufacture nine new Northlander station shelters, enhance rail safety and complete warning system upgrades. Enseicom has been awarded the contract to design and manufacture nine new station shelters, Remcan Ltd is responsible 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.
In December 2022, Ontario announced the purchase of three new trainsets as part of its plan to reinstate the Northlander. Siemens Mobility Limited is building the Northlander’s new rail cars to meet the latest emission standards, making them among the most environmentally friendly diesel locomotives on the market.
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