The Province of Ontario has reached a waypoint in its plan to return passenger rail service to the North, with the completion of a 982-metre section of track in North Bay.
Costing $5.7 million to build, the track — referred to as the North Bay Rail Bypass — will route Northlander passenger trains around the North Bay Rail Yard to avoid freight operations between CN, Ottawa Valley Railway and Ontario Northland, the province said.
This is expected to improve safety and operational efficiency in addition to shaving 15 minutes off travel time to North Bay Station.
"The completion of the North Bay Rail Bypass contributes an important feature to the new era of the Northlander passenger rail service,” Chad Evans, Ontario Northland’s CEO, in a Sept. 15 news release.
“This new section of track will enhance safety, improve passenger comfort, and reduce travel time. It marks an important milestone and the continued momentum propelling the Northlander program closer to in-service.”
When the Northlander revamp is complete in 2026, it will run between Timmins and Toronto four to seven days per week, depending on the season, with 16 stops along the way.
By then, it will have been 14 years since the last Northlander passenger train ran in the North.
The service ceased in 2012, after the province announced its intention to divest the ONTC, citing “stagnant ridership” and Ontario Northland’s “unsustainable financial path” for the decision.
Doug Ford vowed to return the service to the North as part of a 2018 campaign promise, later pledging $75 million to get it back up and running.
Once operational, the new Northlander service will include modern train sets featuring wider, more accessible cars; wider seats; fully accessible washrooms; and power outlets and Wi-Fi at every seat.
They’re currently being built by Siemens in Sacramento, Calif., at a cost of $139.5 million.
Construction has also begun on the Timmins-Porcupine Station, which will serve as the northern terminal for the Northlander.
Ellis-Don was awarded the contract for that project in 2024; however, the province did not disclose the value of the contract.
Additional contracts have been awarded for various portions of the project.
Successful bidders include Enseicom Inc., which was awarded the contract to design and manufacture nine new station shelters; Remcan Ltd., which was awarded the contract for track improvements to enhance rail safety, decrease maintenance and reduce derailment risks; and X-Rail, which was awarded the contract to complete warning system upgrades along the Northlander corridor north of North Bay.
The province did not provide the monetary value of these contracts.
A period of testing will follow the completion of Northlander project before it opens to the public, but it’s expected the service will be up and running some time in 2026.
Run times and ticket prices are to be determined.
