High Speed Train Linking Toronto & Quebec City Is on Track

The federal government is moving ahead with the proposed “high-frequency” rail (HFR) project to link Toronto and Quebec City.

Back in 2021, the Trudeau government announced plans to build a dedicated rail line connecting Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. Although not technically a “high-speed” train, the new line would be capable of reaching speeds up to 200 km/hr. The existing VIA rail trains max out at 160 km/hr.

The Toronto-Quebec City rail will now be a true high speed rail, capable of speeds up to 300 km/hr, Radio-Canada reports. Running on an newly built electrified track, the train trip is estimated to take just three hour. In comparison, that same journey takes roughly five and a half hours by car.

Unnamed sources told Radio-Canada that the federal government has chosen a bidder, and will likely announce plans in the coming weeks.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Anita Anand was unable to confirm the news, but stated “Our Liberal government has an ambitious, transformative plan for Canada’s future.”

South of the border, Brightline West is currently building the first U.S. high-speed train, connecting Las Vegas and Los Angeles.