Funding agreed for Ottawa – Montreal upgrade

Written by Keith 
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Canadian Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt and Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and CEO of Via Rail, announced on July 31, 2015 that the Canadian government will invest $C 102.5 million ($US 77.6 million) over two years to improve the safety and efficiency of passenger operations on the 187km Ottawa - Montreal corridor.

Via Rail will use the funding to modify Renaissance coaches for use on Ottawa – Montreal services to provide a consistent level of service, improve access for passengers with disabilities, and replace older equipment.

Track and structures will be upgraded, with continuous-welded rail replacing jointed track at various locations, while a new passing loop will be constructed at Barrhaven to improve operations at the Ottawa end of the line. Signaling and centralized traffic control will be modernized and Ottawa station will be repaired with increased platform heights to improve access for passengers.

Desjardins-Siciliano says the enhancements will enable Via Rail to increase services from four to six trains per day from 2017.

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