High-speed trains between Toronto and Windsor subject of new report
A report that could set out a plan to build high-speed rail between Toronto and Windsor is expected to be presented at Queen's Park in the coming weeks.
Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca will table the document that potentially sets out how passenger rail transport could be improved for the cities along the southern 401 corridor, including Kitchener-Waterloo and London.
"There is a lot of anticipation and excitement ... I am hopeful," Del Duca said.
Details are scarce about the report, which was authored by former federal transport minister David Collenette, but it could contain a business case for the high-speed link, Del Duca explained.
No price tag yet
He said the document contains significant analysis of potential business cases for high-speed rail through much of southern Ontario. But, speaking with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, he refused to confirm whether the Collenette report explicitly provided a viable business case for the service.
Del Duca also wouldn't elaborate on how much a potential high-speed rail link would cost.
"There's planning work, there's design work ... I'm not at a point right now to confirm what a price tag would look like," said the minister, who added he expected to have an update on costs in coming weeks.
Railway consultant Greg Gormick does not expect to see a separate high-speed rail line moving through southwestern Ontario.
"We can't really do high speed rail, we can do higher-speed rail," said Gormick.
He suspects the reason for releasing Collenette's report may be more of a political move, rather than one that genuinely improves transportation.
"I think the government being under the gun with an election approaching, they're going to want some feel-good statements to put out there," added Gormick.
Full details on where and when potential high-speed rail could come to southern Ontario will be available once the Collenette proposal is tabled at Queen's Park.
"I think it's best for the report to speak for itself," said Del Duca, who provided few other concrete details outside of confirming the report's existence.
